THE ODD COUPLE

THE ODD COUPLE by NEIL SIMON

Exmouth Players could not fail to be on a winner with their production of the female version of Neil Simon’s timeless comedy The Odd Couple. Packed with “one liners” this perceptive and witty script exposes the strengths and weaknesses of relationships, and tests the bonds of friendship when two very different people find themselves sharing the same living space! Olive regularly invites her girlfriends over to her New York apartment for an evening of “Trivial Pursuit”, but when Florence doesn’t show-up the girls become concerned, especially after a call from her husband indicates she may be suicidal. When she does arrive she is distraught saying her husband wants a divorce – though why she would want to stay married to a guy described as 5’ 3”, wearing an oversize toupee and a penchant for cowboy boots is a mystery! Olive is a self-confessed slob who is perfectly happy with her disorganised apartment while Florence is the complete opposite, her driving force being “Cooking, Crying & Cleaning”, and when her friend invites her to move in it’s a recipe for disaster! In an attempt to break the pattern of her friend’s obsessive behaviour Olive asks her Spanish neighbours Manolo and Jesus for diner, but as usual it all ends in tears and Florence gets her marching orders! With normality restored the “girls” come over for their usual game, Florence moves upstairs with the “boys” and Olive can relax at last – or can she?  This was a well-cast production thoughtfully directed by Les Hunt, and the accents were sustained without becoming grating. The supporting roles of the four girl-friends were played to good effect, each bringing out the idiosyncrasies and individuality of their characters.  The two Spanish brothers were simply hilarious but not overdone, they had great expressions and their first entrance framed in the door-way was a picture, and of course mirth abounded when most of their conversation was lost in translation!  The roles of Olive and Florence were played with seemingly consummate ease, one laid-back and fun loving but rather lonely, the other prissy, orderly and irritating, squabbling like an old married couple and getting on each other nerves – they were just perfect! The props, costumes and music were all suitably chosen, and the set well-designed for the era, although the occasional table down stage did seem rather incongruous with the rest of the furniture. Perhaps this was a deliberate choice to highlight Olive’s disinterested attitude to her surroundings, but without a doubt Florence would have banished it to the side-lines when she took up residence! A side table would have also provided a place for Florence’s purse which did seem to have been inadvertently left on the floor for several scenes. Again something quite alien to her obsessive and tidy nature, although the need for it to remain on set did become clear later in the action! Overall the pace was good but at times when all the “girls” were gathered round the table it did feel rather static and the actors needed room to “stretch”. It is challenging on a small stage but with hindsight perhaps the settee and easy chairs could have been set stage right as far as the space allowed, enabling the dining area to open up and seem less cramped, and avoid some difficult sight-lines on occasion. However this was a super and most enjoyable production, and very warmly received by the audience - another great team effort from the Exmouth Players.

‘Tricia Barclay
 

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