[THEATRE/COMEDY ~ SA PREMIERE ~ QLD]

Holden Street Theatres – The Arch, Tue 13 Mar.

James and Rebecca seem like a decent enough couple. They are at the beginning of a new phase of their life where she is considering going back to work, and he is thinking of quitting his boring job. Things get rocky when Rebecca finds herself unexpectedly pregnant.

Resolving conflict is not their strength. He is full of bluster and she is judgemental. Both of them are really good at defending their own points of view, but neither is very good at listening. So it’s a cycle of calm, crisis and recriminations, forgiveness, and then the cycle begins again with neither of them having learned anything.

After living in Canada, Rebecca and James now live in Australia. James retains some of that silly and swaggering male bravado often found in male characters in American movies. Both parts are expertly played, and as a couple they are very natural and believable.

Perhaps a sad reflection of the shallowness of many relationships was its point, but Undertow felt a little incomplete. Like an episode of a television ‘soapie’, or one act of a larger work, it needed something more to give it greater substance.

Still, it’s entertaining enough, and has solid performances from Jasmine Fairbairn and Clayton Storey.

3.5 stars

Michael Coghlan

Undertow continues at Holden Street Theatres – The Arch from 9.30pm until Sat 16 Mar.

Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.

#ADLfringe

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[THEATRE/COMEDY ~ SA PREMIERE ~ QLD] Holden Street Theatres – The Arch, Tue 13 Mar. James and Rebecca seem like a decent enough couple. They are at the beginning of a new phase of their life where she is considering going back to work, and he is thinking of quitting his boring job. Things get rocky when Rebecca finds herself unexpectedly pregnant. Resolving conflict is not their strength. He is full of bluster and she is judgemental. Both of them are really good at defending their own points of view, but neither is very good at listening. So it’s a cycle of calm, crisis and recriminations, forgiveness, and then the cycle begins again with neither of them having learned anything. After living in Canada, Rebecca and James now live in Australia. James retains some of that silly and swaggering male bravado often found in male characters in American movies. Both parts are expertly played, and as a couple they are very natural and believable. Perhaps a sad reflection of the shallowness of many relationships was its point, but Undertow felt a little incomplete. Like an episode of a television ‘soapie’, or one act of a larger work, it needed something more to give it greater substance. Still, it’s entertaining enough, and has solid performances from Jasmine Fairbairn and Clayton Storey. 3.5 stars Michael Coghlan Undertow continues at Holden Street Theatres – The Arch from 9.30pm until Sat 16 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe

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Michael Coghlan

Examining a relationship in trouble.

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