The Adelaide Repertory Theatre. Arts Theatre. 22 Nov 2024
Most Australians remember the Ruth Cracknell/Gary McDonald television series of Mother and Son, penned by Geoffrey Atherden AM. They loved or hated it.
This stage variation on the theme - dotty, forgetful old mum’s challenging relationship with her carer son - is not a familiar “episode” from the series and it has a contemporary setting. Hence, its humour encompasses the very things which drive us all to various stages of dementia right now, things like mobile phones and telemarketing. Who among us cannot relate to these? But, while the play teases laughs from confusion, it also highlights the serious issues of aging and families; the fear of loneliness, the fear of institutionalisation, respite versus admission, the danger of falls and, of course, loyalty and responsibility.
All of those may only be communicated through the credibility endowed by good actors and, as director, the Rep’s respected Jude Hines has roped them in. Penni Hamilton-Smith plays old Mrs Beare. She a seasoned character actor and she tucks this challenging part under her belt with disarming ease and laudable lack of vanity. By the play’s end, she has established the most extraordinarily warm relationship with the audience. It is eating out of her hand, as they say in the classics. And, they whoop her at the curtain call, which, incidentally, has its own idiosyncratic charm.
The two Beare sons are polar opposites and aptly embodied by Stephen Bills as the adored successful dentist and Patrick Clements as the loyal stay-at-home caring carer son. Sub plots give romantic involvements to both men and, hence, the cast includes several well-wrought young female characters, very pleasantly played by Mollie Mooney, Nikki Gaertner Eaton and Jessica Corrie. Children Alifa Willoughby and Harry Bacon appear also as old Maggie Beare’s grandchildren. They are largely seen on a huge TV screen which interestingly doubles as a window on the set, and their zoom interactions tell another whole story about contemporary family life and the trials of technology. The set is generally a bit odd with its see-through front porch, but the furnishings well define the life and taste of a fading retiree.
A number of voices feature off-stage and, among them, Husain Mataza must be credited with a definitive portrayal of classic Mumbai call centre characters.
Mother and Son is a longish show. It is not hilarious and nor is it meant to be. Rather, it is amusing in the vein of touching triste. The high spot of humour is delivered in a gem of a cameo appearance by one Sandy Whitelaw as old folks home resident, Monica.
If people at cross-purposes and manipulative old seniors are your cup of tea in a divertissement of sleekish production values by a great old Adelaide theatre team, this is the play for you.
Samela Harris
When: 22 to 30 Nov
Where: Arts Theatre
Bookings: adelaiderep.com
