THE MISTRESS/A SOLITARY CHOICE
Holden Street Theatres

Review by Brian Godfrey, The Adelaide Theatre Guide.

The Mistress: written by Arnold Wesker (ìChicken Soupî, ìRootsî and ìChips With Everythingî), this one
woman one-acter sees fashion designer Samantha revealing a guilty secret to her three closest
confidants Jessica, Babushka and Ninotchka ñ all fashion dummies.

Director Phillip Parslowís production is emotive and fluid, allowing actor Martha Lott to almost float
around the Holden Street stage. The play is perfect for showcasing Lottís talent and experience. She
reminded this reviewer of a young Felicity Kendall and Nyree Dawn Porter.

Lottís portrayal of her three alter-egos allows her to take on their imagined personas so realistically that
it is hard not to look at the dummies when they ìspeakî to Samantha. Realism and Lottís fine acting
skills come into play again so when her character accidently injures herself, the audience flinches.

The play itself seems a little pointless, but this does not detract from fine direction by Parslow and a
powerful performance by Lott.

A Solitary Choice: starring Tamara Lee, directed by Michael Allen, written by South Australian
writer/actor Sheila Duncan and with lighting by Andrew Kay, is a rare gem ñ perfect in all aspects.

Duncanís script, about a woman (Ruth) who is the only one who can make some life-changing decisions,
is extremely well written and has it all - humour, pathos, drama, theatricality and a very strong
narrative.

To handle a role of such complexity and emotional moods requires an actor with great skill and talent ñ
enter Tamara Lee. Leeís performance is sensational. With brilliant comedic talent, a wonderful
personality and a realism that captured the hearts of all in the opening night audience, this is an actress
of the highest calibre. She sparkles and shines for the entire hour duration of the show.

Add Allenís fine, taut direction and excellent lighting by Kay (this young man has a very ëbrightí future
ahead of him) and the final product is a wonderful entertainment experience.

Note: The two shows can be seen separately on any of the performance nights ñ but, to truly
experience a slew of South Australian talent, see both.

THE MISTRESS/A SOLITARY CHOICE:

Reviewed by Rod Lewis – Stage Whispers & Messenger Newspapers

AN outstanding double bill featuring two of Adelaide's prized leading ladies launches this year's Directors' Choice series of plays at Holden St.

Sir Arnold Wesker's bittersweet comedy The Mistress features Martha Lott as a fiery fashion designer on the verge of a breakdown as she waits for an inevitable call from her lover.

Her passions overflow into multiple personalities released through conversations with her shop dummies, providing the platform for a powerhouse performance under the tight direction of Phillip Parslow.

The pace, wit and pathos are a breathtaking rollercoaster in such expert hands.

Penned by local actor and playwright Sheila Duncan, A Solitary Choice is a surprisingly comical but deeply personal exploration of a woman's search for an answer.

Director Michael Allen has hit the jackpot with Tamara Lee, who adds endless layers to a complex but quirky character forced to make a difficult decision.

The rapturous opening night applause continued well after the house lights were up, marking Lee's performance as a must-see this year.

Both pieces run for an hour each, played out on a sparse stage that is easily filled by these solo talents.

Bravo!

Double Bill: The Mistress by Arnold Wesker and A Solitary Choice by Sheila Duncan.

Directed by Phillip Parslow (Mistress) and Michael Allen (Choice) for Holden St Theatres.
The Studio, Holden St Theatre, 11-26 July 2008.

Performance of 12/07/08 reviewed by Myk Mykyta.
To air on State of Play, Radio Adelaide on Monday 14/07/08.

It was bitterly cold outside, on the night of Saturday the twelfth of July but inside The Studio of the Holden St Theatres the air was crackling with creative energy for the opening presentation of the Directors’ Choice season 2008. There were two plays, both monodramas, on the theme of missing love. Philip Parslow directed Martha Lott in Arnold Wesker’s desperately wistful The Mistress and Michael Allen directed Tamara Lee in Sheila Duncan’s poignantly funny A Solitary Choice. The evening is memorable for two powerful and satisfying performances well nurtured and staged.
That really is all that needs to be said, especially since the program notes are free and comprehensive.
Well, perhaps I should explain that monodrama does not mean only a single character. Both Tamara and Martha present the many people in their pieces with skill and wonderful timing leaving lasting impressions.
These are two performances that should be seen and enjoyed. The interval between the two 50-minute shows is 30 minutes to allow for a complete resetting of the stage. But the bar is warm and welcoming and you get a chance to talk to the performer of the previous piece.