Edmond is a one act play written in 1982 by David Mamet, currently on at the Old 505 Theatre in Surry Hills.
Edmond returns home after a visit to a fortune teller gives him the impetus to tell his wife he is no longer in love with her ‘spiritually or physically.’ What ensues is an earnest attempt to integrate his personality in the ‘jungle’ outside his middle class existence.
The cast of four give robust performances as they manoeuvre through a host of scene changes playing a variety of characters that inhabit the underbelly of New York City.
In order to ‘find himself’ or fill an empty void, Edmond goes looking for sex and encounters some shady characters who mess with his sense of entitlement.
Edmond is much like Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, he doesn’t care for those that cross his path so why should we care how he ends up. Therefore the prison scene at the end when he is waxing lyrical to his prison mate about how ‘every fear is really a wish’ and that he always knew he’d end up in gaol, felt contrived. Oleg Pupovac gives justice to what is at times such glib writing. Tara Clark, Cheyne Fynn and Naomi Livingstone all have stage presence.
I look forward to what Two Peas tackle next.
Directed by Glen Hamilton.
The old 505 Theatre, 342 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills
Until 26th July
NICNATPAT 