I sat down with theatre director Chris Hamley this week to have a chat about his latest directorial project, ‘Waiting in the Wings’, the Noel Coward play.
‘Waiting in the Wings’, a play about a retirement home for former actresses, was received without much joy at its debut, possibly because of its subject matter, Chris explains it is short on ‘action and beautiful young things’ and the subject matter may make some people feel uncomfortable as it deals with ageing and its manifestations, it’s a pity because as Chris says it is a rare thing indeed to find a vehicle for an ensemble of women that are no longer ingénues. Noel Coward thought highly of this his 50th play and this milestone work also in his opinion, contained some of the best written scenes of his career.
For anyone thinking maybe this play is not their cup of tea, consider as Chris said, that you will be able to recognise a lady close to you in the wonderfully drawn characters, whether it be a jolly or kindly aunt or grandmother, or a lady more on the bitter or quarrelsome side.
One of the reasons Chris chose to do this play was because he had previously produced it with his Elizabeth College class who, he tells me did an excellent job of playing 70 plus year olds! No mean feat for a group of 17 year olds.
Chris also says if you are looking for deep interpretation in this play, don’t necessarily do so. It’s a straightforward story of substance about people, people we can all identify with in navigating the course of ageing as we all do and if there is a difference it may be they are facing it with more trepidation than perhaps the average person. The play explores the plight of people who define themselves and their careers by their youth and looks but as Noel Coward says ageing doesn’t need to be such an unpleasant prospect if faced with humour.
The play also touches on another peril of ageing for actors, but in no way inevitable, i.e. the possibility of dementia, and this is poignantly brought to the fore when one of the character’s Almina finds her ability to learn lines fails her and she says ‘her spirit is broken’.
Chris says this is a wonderful ensemble piece with gentle humour not slapstick and full of the wit that we are so familiar with in Noel Coward presentations. Not defined as a comedy or a drama it contains elements of both.
Even though there may not be levels of interpretation to discover in this play it’s tempting to think perhaps the old broken TV set at the retirement home reminds us that although some of these actors may be a little cranky, so not always giving us the most perfect reception, they still possess that vital spark.
Chris is very happy with how this play is unfolding and looking forward to more directing later this year but still ultimately craving the craft of acting which he keeps up with as part of the Louisa’s walk re-enactment. You can see Chris regularly as a part of Louisa’s walk http://livehistoryhobart.com.au/.
‘Waiting in the Wings’ plays at The Playhouse from August 3-18.
Paula Xiberras
