Theatre
By The Cutting Room Floor
Frisk
12th of February
Review by Caroline Stafford
Addiction to The Cutting Room Floor is a lot like addiction to coffee – all-consuming and leaves you shaking in your boots. The Perth lads and lasses have done it again with a rip roaring, yet tender show that really gets to the quick of human relationships; namely, the ways we pursue love.
Our two leading ladies take the “stage” (more like counter top) in a modest fashion mid-conversation, and they never really stop talking until the end of the show. The entire piece is a twisted, interlocking decade-long argument between the two ladies, who are best and ‘oldest’ friends. It’s a no-holds barred food and drink fight that might leave you a little wet if you’re in the front row.
Kate and Ruby, the protagonists really tear each other to pieces, fighting and criticising their relationships and one night stands, their achievements and goals, all in the kind of pithy, cutting one-liners that I’m sure we’ve all used in a moment of desperation.
The years of friendship flow past at an increasingly rapid pace between them with each cup of coffee, as they fight, scream and really explore their different personalities they are and how they clash. While more and more coffee gets thrown on each other and the audience, all brought to them by the incredibly handsome and seeming mute waiter.
While it may pay to lower the background music at some points (as we can’t really hear what’s going on) Frisk makes a truly unique venue. Both actresses relate to the space incredibly well, using all the aspects of the “coffee shop” (including outside) as well as the general ambiance generated by the audience to really make the performance more authentic and rooted in this relatable, everyday setting.
That is really the best thing about the play – being able to relate. We all have a friend like one of these women, and we all are one of these women. The conviction and passion that they bring to their expertly written, incredibly realistic roles, and of course the one handsome barista, all make for a performance that will have you laughing, ducking and maybe even tearing up a little bit.
If you want to see this show, you’ll have to get in fast. More information can be found here.
