Easy To Say, July 8, 1996

Easy to Say by Kevin Nemeth

At  La Mama until June 25, 1996

Reviewed by Kate Herbert around July 8, 1996

An ordinary life can be so strange if examined too closely. Kevin Nemeth 's latest play, Easy to Say, staged at La Mama draws us into the orbit of several people related by family or friendship. Both the naturalistic style and the intimate La Mama staging force us to peer up the noses of the characters and observe their aching confusion about their sleeping and waking lives.

Nemeth's dialogue is swift and intelligent with well-observed characterisations. The superb quality of this script is its understatement. It speaks volumes through its speechless characters. Howard Stanley as the reticent middle-aged Mark, creates a whole sub-text through listening and reacting to his sister and his soon-to-be-ex-wife. Gary (Matthew Green) reveals more by refusing to explain his eight-year absence.

There is a Pinteresque quality in the sense of menace and emotional danger on stage which is a result of Nemeth's fine writing and Paul Hampton's inspired simplicity of direction. The realism combines with such intensity of performance and edgy writing gives a surreal feeling to the play.

The play is comprised of short, crisp scenes between intimates: a marriage ends, a friend returns, a silent man speaks, a relationship is remembered. There is one prolonged scene involving a card game with much quipping and prying. Although the scene is a little too long, between the lines spoken and tricks won, are yards of layered meaning.

These people are enmeshed in worlds of their own making, pasts which they do not understand, families which spin out of their control. They are helplessly pushing their faces up against the mesh trying to peer out.

The performances are often exceptional and all eccentric. The inimitable Howard Stanley is riveting as Mark, his first role after a six-year absence. Linda Gibson is witty and detailed as Liz, the almost non-smoker. Caroline Lee is quirky as her brittle friend, Maree and as Maree's blabbermouth husband, Russell Fletcher taps an uncanny quality of ageing party boy or child-man. 

There is a great deal remaining unresolved at the end. What happened to the settlement of father's will? Did Gary stay? Do Maree and Geoff continue their petty marital bickering? But this is the way of an ordinary life. It goes on and on and on without resolution - doesn't it?

By Kate Herbert

Kevin Nemeth writer

Paul Hampton idrector

 Cast:

Howard Stanley 

Linda Gibson

 Nancy Black 

Caroline Lee 

Russell Fletcher

Matthew Green