Playwright: Nancy Harris Director: Colin McColl Starring: Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Anna Jullienne, Rena Owen, Adam Gardiner, Ban Abdul Venue: ASB Waterfront Theatre, 9-27 February 2021 Upcoming Venues: Clarence St Theatre in Hamilton (5 & 6 March), Baycourt Community & Arts Centre in Tauranga (12 & 13 March), New Plymouth’s TSB Showplace (20 & 21 March) and Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre in Hastings (28 March). Tickets for the North Island tour are now on sale.
The ASB Waterfront Theatre foyer was awash with sangria, live music and the who’s who of the acting world for the opening night of Two Ladies. During an era when it has felt impossible to escape politics, especially the American variety, this season is well-timed.
The play stars the first ladies of New Zealand theatre - Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Anna Jullienne and Rena Owen, supported by Adam Gardiner and Ban Abdul.
Opening to the strains of the American and French national anthems, the president’s wives are thrown together in an austere conference room as their husbands negotiate military strikes against terrorists. Ward-Lealand’s Helene is loosely based on Brigitte Macron whereas Jullienne’s Sophia is drawn from Melania Trump. There are nods to Jackie Kennedy, Hillary Clinton et al via the dialogue and costumes.
Ward-Lealand was breath-taking in her performance. She perfectly embodied a wife fed up with her errant husband. Ward-Lealand’s stage presence and command of the role was exceptional.
Jullienne played Sophia as reserved and wary, gradually building to a vulnerable yet powerful woman in full control. Jullienne’s moving monologue in Act Two was a highlight that gave pause for thought that even the most outwardly polished women can have an unexpected backstory.
More was expected from the multi-award winning Irish playwright Nancy Harris. Her achievements are considerable, but the script was overrun with irritating lacklustre passages that were punctuated with lumps of comedy. Rather than blend drama and comedy smoothly throughout, the script’s staccato dialogue descended into an absurd storyline that was disappointing.
However, Owen, Gardiner and Abdul’s characters provided comic relief and their unpredictable entrances and interactions were credible. Owen’s energy was infectious and an amusing counterbalance to the poise of the first ladies.
Colin McColl’s direction was exceptional given the shortcomings of the script. McColl’s casting was world class, and he ensured varied and interesting action.
Costume designer Lucy Jane Senior superbly curated the garments, particularly those of Helene and Sophia. Senior’s experience as a New York stylist shone through and the attention to detail of the accessories was impeccable.
The slick marketing campaign with its chic imagery has been rolling out for months across the North Island as the show is set to travel beyond the Bombays from March. Only a pandemic could curtail this highly anticipated production.
Two Ladies provides the opportunity to see the stars of New Zealand theatre, film and television showcase their immense talent in exquisite costumes while providing genuine laugh out loud moments. Men may want control, but who really has the power?
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