Loves and Hours
Theatre
It isn’t easy for any theatre company to keep the pace going in a comedy that involves rapid changes of character and situation, but Galleon Theatre Company’s production of Stephen Metcalfe’s Loves and Hours manages this expertly.
Set in California and spanning a period of years, this modern comedy of manners hinges on the sometimes hapless but always engaging Dan Tilney (played with a mixture of sensitivity and cheerful observation by the admirable Andrew Horwood) and the complex situations in which his family and friends find themselves.
Through Dan’s eyes and his often laconic observations of the characters, we follow their lives and their impact on him and each other. What seems at first to be a comment on the frustrations and poor choices of men reaching middle age, and the comic superficiality of the privileged, soon finds a depth in which the audience is drawn to care about as well as laugh at the storyline as it develops.
Erik Strauts’ production is a reflection of the hard work this experienced company has put in to set the pace and keep the audience connected. There are no weak links in the cast, with actors moving smoothly in and out of an open stage to present short scenes in different times and places.
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The set is designed as minimalist, so as not to distract from the actors, and lighting is used instead of a curtain to move between scenes – not always easy to manage but both production crew and cast worked well together. The combination of youth and experience in the cast provides an opportunity for the audience to relate to many different aspects of the play, and on opening night the production was cheered enthusiastically by the packed house.
Marion Cultural Centre offers the opportunity for cabaret as well as row seating, so there is an informal, social aspect to the evening, which suits the theme of the production.
Loves and Hours continues until May 31 at the Domain Theatre, Marion Cultural Centre.
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