Take A Chance on Me - Review by Karen Fletcher
Have you ever been on a date? Or been in a relationship? Or even wanted to
start a relationship? If so, then this is a play you will enjoy. Roger
Hall's insightful comedy "Take a Chance on Me" is superbly performed by
the Rangiora Players under the skilful direction of Dimitri Gibara.
Hall takes a simple idea of six people who have lost their spouses and
transports us through a series of scenes where they are looking for a
relationship, looking for love or just looking "for someone to do my
washing".
The play interweaves the lives of Dan (Graham Mayes), Fleur (Anya
Harrison), Brian (Peter Edwards), Larraine (Sue Parsons), Eleanor (Lyndelle
Gibara) and Tim (Mark O'Connell) as they woefully admit to problems, of
how to deal with rekindling their social lives, dealing with dating and
what to do with the kids - especially on that first date! The subject of
sex rears its head and whether it is in a chat room romance as Eleanor
finds or just a wonderful memory for Dan, we are given all too honest
reminders of first dates.
The six singles attempt to find satisfying relationships through succumbing
to blind dates, computer dating and answering ads in personal columns.
With so many scenes, and so many scenarios, Graham Clewer has cleverly
constructed a workable set that allows the audience to be part of the bar,
bistro and bedroom action.
The first half of the play deals with the problems of what to do when you
get a date - "What do we do next? Do we have a drink? Do we go to a club?
Or do we have nookie?" What to do when you and your date are totally
unsuited? How far to go on that first date and other things your mother
probably warned you about!
In the second half things are a bit more optimistic in Club Med and the
sun starts to shine on the fortunes of our singles.
Hall's play is not a typical narrative but can be likened to TV's "Big
Brother" programme as we glimpse the lives of everyday people trying to
re-establish themselves in social settings.
Favourite moments in the play for me, included Eleanor's reaction to her
husband having an affair, Lorraine eagerly taking to the drink after an
unsuccessful evening with "Bill" and Brian's fumblings under the covers.
This pastiche of players are held together by fantastic performances of
Edward O'Brien and Kerianne McLaughlin. Kerianne and Edward open the show
as hostess of a "Table for Six" and from there on become a multitude of
diverse and humorous characters to play opposite the six on their dates. I
cringed, cried, sympathised and laughed with the characters as their self
development increased, their dating skills improved and their
relationships flourished. Take this opportunity to relive your formative
years, or even get a few tips on what to do and what not to do when you
are dating!
Karen Fletcher
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