A Winning Day
By Kevin Nemeth
Directed by Helmut Bakaitis
Q Theatre, Penrith, until March 27
Reviewed by Gail Lord
Since moving west of Sydney in 1977, the Q Theatre has established an enviable reputation presenting classic and contemporary works from both overseas and Australian playwrights.
The 1994 season is a collection by Australians, full of promise and covering a broad range of topics. It is good to see works being presented by local writers.
A Winning Day introduces us to Frank (Ron Haddrick) reflecting on his past and what lies ahead now that his 30-year marriage has ended due to the death of Jane (Judi Farr).
Rosehill was important to them — they gave up seeing Johnny Ray for the races. It is to be the sight for an unusual request.
As the story unfolds at Frank's local TAB, we meet Allan (Shane Porteous), another widower, Jim (Les Dayman) a crude, slightly cruel person, and Con (Richard Healy), another punter. Healy also plays David, Frank and Jane's son). Pleasantries and philosophies are passed between "mates", yet they fail to really communicate.
Via clever lighting the play switches from the TAB to the return of Jane, whose spirit reminisces with Frank. We see two sides of their relationship, dreams and reality, and both Their enthusiasm for being together and the boundaries they set for themselves. They admit to not being the perfect family, and their true feelings surface.
A Winning Day is well directed with a tight script that has as many laughs as anything written by Neil Simon.
This is the first time at the Q for Ron Haddrick and Les Dayman, and I hope it is just the beginning. Judi Farr plays Jane with a subtlety that makes her believable. A most rewarding play providing a subtle dig at punting, the haves and have-nots and mateship.
Forthcoming plays at the Q:
Choice by Ron Elisha, May 4-22.
Moorli and the Leprechaun by Jack Davis (for all the family), June 24-July 8.
Good Works by Nick Enright, July 27- August 21.
Dead City by Nicholas Jose, October 5-30.