The Odd Couple

Welcome to NODA Marco Players, with the female version of The Odd Couple by Neil Simon. Written in 1965 and the film followed three years later. The Female Version was re- written and opened on Broadway in 1985. In 2001 it opened in London with Paula Wilcox and Jenny Seagrove. Swapping the males’ poker game for the females’ Trivial Pursuits.

Neal Hefti - an American Jazz trumpeter and composer wrote the now famous theme tune- played as the curtains opened - as well as the iconic Batman TV series’.

The setting is Olive’s Madison lounge with two doors Upstage Left and Right. With corridor behind. Stage Right leading to the kitchen and other rooms and Stage Left leading to the exit door to outside. In between in a unit with trophies and books on, all in disarray to denote Olive’s living habits including broken shelf. Stage Right was a table with chairs around where the Trivial Pursuits takes place. And Stage Right a hatch to the kitchen. A settee Stage Left strewn with clothes and a coffee table in front of it. Stage Left were French windows with net curtains, a phone on the wall. Small table Upstage Left with lamp on. Coat hook on the back wall with various coats and a bag. Completed with rubbish on the floor and over turned waste bin. You really got a feel of the kind of person who lived there. Set Design and Build David Holt, Paul Roberts, Christine Brooks, David Cieszynski and Robin Jones. Props were all in keeping down to the hostess trolley. Props Sharon Kellie. Costumes again all in keeping and each character had an individual style down to Olive’s practical-almost-manly look and Sylvie’s flamboyant outfits. Wardrobe by Carolyn Haslam and Judith Leigh. Lighting and Sound all added to the performances Sound by Pater Haslam and Lighting by Ashley Foster and David Cieszynski.

Mike Wignall directs the eight strong cast and the beginning scene of the failed suicide worked well done in silhouette. Also using a scene where the Costazuela brothers get dressed so the team could set up for the dinner party kept us entertained. I did feel that Florence’s pre-show prowl was overlong to establish the emotions she was contemplating – this could have been achieved in 1 or 2 minutes with lighting support to help the audience focus. However, the cast worked well together and the stage was well utilised and some great tableaux formed. Not sure if it’s in the script or not as a suggestion, but a great touch with Doris Day’s A Woman’s Touch opening the second act.

The friends meeting for Trivial Pursuits nights were all very different and Elinor Hamilton playing Mickey was the straight-talking police woman who gets things sorted - don’t mess with her. Laura Roberts played Renee who finds fault with Olive then Florence, some great one liners delivered. Laura Duffy played Vera who always gets the wrong end of the stick much to the annoyance of her friends. Great character. Catia Soeiro playing Sylvie really brought the energy and sarcastic comments firing off the other cast members. Well played.

Olive Madison played by Meredith Collinson and whose house it was where all the action took place. I felt she was a little nervous to start but once she got into her stride the character came to life and we could see the friendship go through the different stages with Florence Ungar played by Mindy Leonard-Lockett with no where to go. The two end up living like a married couple and being annoyed by each other’s little foibles. Olive wanting to live life to the full but Florence having other ideas. Mindi as Florence was suitably annoying just wanting to keep house. It did remind me of the scene from Enchanted when the curtains that appeared looked like they could have been made from one of her dresses. Florence taking over in glorious style with all her ailments ruling her life. Mindi and Meredith worked well together. With a hint that Olive’s day’s are numbered living in a mess.

Last but not least the Costazuela brothers. Ben Latham playing Manolo Costazuela and Tom Wilson playing Jesus Costazuela. The ‘no good’/nougat scene was great and they brought a different energy on to the stage. Working well off each other and as a duo, the ongoing language barrier and confusion played out to hilarious effect.

Thank you so much for the invite and hospitality from my guest Matthew and I. I look forward to your next play.

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.