A telephone call.A message left on an answering machine.
“I went to Boots today and bought a packet of henna and some razor blades. I thought, ok, I'm going to go home, drink a bottle of wine, and then depending how I feel tomorrow morning, I'll either slash my wrists or dye my hair. Oh, and I might be pregnant.”
The message has been left by Judith, jilted lover, to the man who was “her life”.
The message is intercepted by Ros, the man's current lover, who visits Judith to confront and possibly comfort the suicidal ex.
That's the set up of Henna Night, Amy Rosenthal's play from last century.
An ironic play on Hen's Night, the quaint pre-nuptial ritual of brides to be, Henna Night is basically a cock-fight, or a fight over a cock, from two brooding chicks. For three quarters of an hour they banter over the bantam who apparently is heir to all the eggs in their baskets.
The play, as written, takes place in Scotland, and this production, directed by Glen Hamilton chooses to keep the locale, which places the accent on accent often at the expense to the story.
Jane Angharad plays Judith with a neutral accent which contrasts sharply with Romney Stanton's broad, something Celtic choice.
Angharad certainly has the brittle, woman wronged catch in her voice, and knows how to listen and be still. It's a pity that this production has both actors off stage for prolonged periods, an awkward rather than a reflective silence that cannot sustain interest.
It's a choice that leaves one dyeing for Henna Night to end.
Mercury Theatre in association with Poor Tom’s Gin presents
HENNA NIGHT
by Amy Rosenthal
Director Glen Hamilton
Venue: Old Fitz Theatre | 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo NSW
Dates: 5 – 9 July 2016
Bookings: www.oldfitztheatre.com
