THEATRE
Losing Face Written by Marieke Hardy, by Melbourne Theatre Company
At Southbank Theatre, Sumner, until 25 July 2026
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: *** (3)
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll
present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sa 4 July 2026. KH
 |
| Christie Whelan Browne, Genevieve Morris, Michala Banas, Madeleine Sami. Photo by Pia Johnson |
In Marieke Hardy’s black comedy, Losing Face, directed by Leticia Cáceres, three 50-year-old women who were friends at uni, reunite after 5 years and find each other much changed.
This topical play taps into the “zeitgeist”, raising questions about our society’s obsession with youth and the view of ageing as shameful. We are bombarded with ways to stay youthful: Looksmaxxing, body renovation, anti-aging products, lying about one’s age, congratulating those who look younger than their age, and cosmetic treatment versus surgical intervention.
Age is considered unacceptable. Older women become invisible. To deal with this, women – and now, some men – succumb to myriad pressures to beautify and youthify. (Yes, I know it’s not a word!)
Jo (Michala Banas), the still-single, free spirit of the trio, plans the reunion to celebrate her 50th birthday. She has led a bohemian gypsy life but, in her current role as a free-lance travel writer, she wangles a free, long weekend for the three friends to a wellness spa called The Royal You.
It is run by a smug, self-styled beauty guru, Tomas (Wil King), who It turns out to be far more than a wellness centre or beauty facility.
Lauren (Christie Whelan-Browne) is a latter-day hippy living with her husband and two difficult kids in oh-so-cool, rural Castlemaine (aka North Northcote). Lauren is the former wild thing of the three; a recovering booze and drug hound who denies all memory of her youthful, drunken and drugged escapades.
Simone (Madeleine Sami) is brusque, brittle and carrying resentment that Lauren missed Simone’s father’s funeral – just because she had two babies! These days, Simone is about to marry a 20-something woman and is trying way too hard to be younger than her 50 years.
Desperate to relive their youth and despite the impending early start to their wellness day the following morning, Jo convinces her pals to go to a bar and to do some drugs, like they used to do.
The following morning, they all wind up making disastrous “beautifying” and “anti-aging” choices when they’re hungover and still whacked; they get more than they bargained for from Tomas.
This arrogant, vain, camp, flamboyant, self-absorbed man who behaves like a minor deity, manages to somehow to remain unregulated by laws relating to the beauty therapy and cosmetic surgery industry.
His nurse and acolyte (Genevieve Morris), obeys his bizarre orders unquestioningly, but the ending reveals how she’s been used and abused.
Losing Face starts well with the trio’s complex relationships and their shared history being revealed. However, it loses its way when it goes beyond absurd, black comedy into the hysterical and ridiculous.
Losing Face is a black comedy that might be better served by a shorter script. It is a short play disguised as a long one.
By Kate Herbert
CAST
Jo
Michala Banas
Tomas Wil King
Nurse/Competitive Guest Genevieve Morris
Simone Madeleine Sami
Lauren Christie Whelan Browne
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Leticia Cáceres
Set & Costume Designer Jo Briscoe
Lighting Designer Amelia Lever-Davidson
Composer & Sound Designer Kelly Ryall
AV Designer Justin Gardam
Movement Director Hayden Spencer
Assistant Director Laura McKenzie
Dialect Coach for Wil King as Tomas Geraldine Cook-Dafner
Voice & Text Coach Matt Furlani
Choreographer Wil King
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