A dark look at the rules of marriage

Published Nov 23, 2015

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Arts writer

HELEN and Frazer have the perfect job, the perfect house, the perfect marriage – that is, until Phoebe walks in.

Page to Stage Productions present Michael Gow’s award-winning dark comedy Sweet Phoebe at Alexander Upstairs Theatre in Strand Street until Saturday at 7pm.

In the Australian playwright’s tale, sensible priorities are forgotten, marriage is laid bare and a well adjusted suburban lifestyle lurches out of control. Sweet Phoebe was also the play that launched the international career of Oscar winning actress Cate Blanchett.

Directed by Paul Griffiths ( Cock; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; Edges) the show features Genna Galloway, who was recently seen in her musical comedy Dragging 30; and Matt Newman.

“We all have relationships, or maybe marriages, that we engage in with our own set of rules,” says Griffiths.

“It’s interesting to explore the dynamic that happens between two people when those rules are thrown into disarray. Sweet Phoebe is a darkly witty, but poignant, exploration of this, which might make us feel better about our own lives.”

Griffiths has worked on musical productions like Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Peter Pan, Camelot, Mame, and Fiddler on the Roof.

Galloway is already a veteran of musical theatre and has performed here and abroad. Credits include Showboat, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Rent, We Will Rock You and The Sound of Music.

Newman has been seen on stage in Cape Town in Cock and The Treatment.

l Contains strong language. Tickets: R90, R80 online, www.alexanderbar.co.za

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