Review: Australian Open
Image Supplied (not a Creative Futures Photography image), L to R: Sandro Colarelli, Jackson Paul, Whitney Duff, Tye Shepherd, and Lisa Hickey. Supplied image by Helen Strube.
Australian Open is a play that explores the development and reinvention of family and spousal relationships. Belinda (Lisa Hickey) is a successful management consultant, wife to a stay-at-home Dad, Peter (Sandro Colarelli), and mum to Felix (Tye Shepherd) and Annabelle (Whitney Duff). Annabelle is pursuing a successful scientific career in Switzerland, and 31-year-old public servant Felix is in a long-term open relationship with Australian tennis’ rising superstar, Lucas (Jackson Paul). The suggestion that marriage would not necessarily mean monogamy for Lucas and Felix is the catalyst for the exploration as to what Felix’s parents really want in their lives—and for Lucas and Felix to think through what they each want from their relationship.
Angus Cameron’s Australian Open is a fascinating, funny, character-driven play that explores the restrictions of social conventions; as Belinda poignantly asks, ‘what if we get to the end of our lives and we didn’t do everything?’ The play has a great story arc, with some beautifully observed and witty touches—such as Belinda’s desire to experience the ‘Everest death zone’ before she retires to ‘sit on Boards of Charities.’ But I would have preferred a first half of much less than the opening night 80 minutes, as I feel that this is a show that should run for no more than 90 minutes in total.
The opening night included several memorable moments—from the TEDx talk rising tennis ball, through to the amusing Christmas lunch, and Colarelli’s glorious disco transformation in the second half. Hickey portrays a believable 50-something career woman who struggles with the realisation that there is so much more that she has yet to achieve. Although occasionally just a little too frenetic, highlights from Hickey’s performance included the incredulous response to Lucas’s calculation of the number of partners he had already enjoyed, and Belinda’s trekking to reach base camp. Duff is well-cast as Annabelle, with great TEDx talk moments and some very quick costume changes. Duff establishes Annabelle as an empathetic sister and daughter, and as a grounded science communicator. Jackson Paul’s Lucas is a charming blend of naivete and over-confidence and was at his strongest in scenes with Shepherd.
However, the absolute star of the show is Tye Shepherd, who gives a mesmerising performance as Felix. The final realisation that Felix can be what he wants to be and live in the version of marriage that he chooses with his partner, is a very special moment. And the occasional father-son ‘duets,’ between Paul and Shepherd, are thought-provoking and enjoyable. Farce is difficult to do well, and Shepherd demonstrates that farce is often about the quiet delivery of the lines, rather than shouting. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for future work that features Tye Shepherd.
The 7th Floor Theatre Company deserves to take this show on the road. Australian Open is well-directed, produced and designed by Hayden Burke (Director, Executive Producer, & Set Design), with the support of fellow creatives including Jennifer Ashlan (Co-Producer & Set Design), Ellen Hardisty (Assistant Director, Wellbeing officer, 7th Floor Key Collaborator), Tye Shepherd (Costume and Prop Designer), Gregg Goriss (7th Floor Key Collaborator), Ziggy Enoch (Sound and Visual Design/Composer, Operator), and Claire Yorston (Lighting Designer). The tennis theme was beautifully explored in the set design and styling—including the tennis net light frame for the location surtitles, and the tennis ball ‘cuffs’ and mini-disco ball combo. And I was particularly impressed that the highly professional approach by the 7th Floor Theatre Company included onstage branded sportswear and box office promotional items that featured the prominent use of the names of the show sponsors. It is also good to see that the production has been developed with a full understudy cast, featuring Hayden Parsons, Dean Noffke, Ellen Hardisty, David Scholes, and Amanda Devlin. So if you want to see the understudies in action, book for the 15 January performance.
Don’t be distracted by the promise of the subjects of gay marriage and open relationships, and themes of reflection and reinvention, as Australian Open is relevant for anyone in the 18-75 age bracket. The Queensland premiere of Angus Cameron’s witty Australian Open is perfectly timed to coincide with ‘that’ Melbourne January tennis tournament. If you can drag yourself away from watching streamed TV sport, Australian Open is a great choice for an evening out with friends. You’ll not only have a good time supporting local performance artists, but there will also be a lot to talk about in the interval and over post-show drinks.
Image Supplied (not a Creative Futures Photography image), L to R: Whitney Duff (Annabelle) and Tye Shepherd (Felix). Supplied image by Helen Strube.
Audience information: Australian Open, PIP Theatre, 20 Park Road, Milton QLD 4064 (8-18 January 2024, 7:30pm—plus 2pm shows on 21 & 18 January—and with an understudy cast performance 15th January). Adult themes, some coarse language, strong sexual references: 15+ restriction and production company information suggests that the show is suitable for 18+. 115 minutes, including 15-minute interval. Tickets $36-43.
The reviewer attended the 8 January 2025, 7:30pm opening night performance.