by Arlene Hutton
Directed by: Sharon Fallon June 8th - 30th
Reviews
Theatre Reviews Limited
"Women@Work" by Arlene
Hutton
At the Vital Theatre
Company
Reviewed by Jennifer Womack
for Theatre Reviews Limited
"Take everything with
a grain of salt" is the aim that writer Arlene Hutton was portraying to
women in her new play "Women @ Work," which opened at the Vital Theatre
Company on June 11.
It consists of a series of
short scenes depicting women’s everyday life in different situations.
Each situation took place
in a different working environment, hence the play title. In between each
of the scenes Irene McDonnell delivered short monologues called "Test Time."
These parts let the audience down a windy path. McDonnell presented questions
interrogating if "you" made the "right" turn and ended up in the "right"
room to take the "right" test. As the show progressed, these questions
unfolded a theme. The last "Test Time" questions how it feels to have taken
the "wrong" test, in the "wrong" place, because you have taken the "wrong
turn." The theme surrounding "Test Time" depicts the theory that not all
optimistic things happen in one’s life. Some things happen because one
happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, or that bad things
happen to good people. The answer is how one will deal with these situations.
There are two choices: to walk away with bitterness or to walk away with
newly gained knowledge.
Although the play was presented
as realistic, each story had its own deeper meaning which the audience
was left to uncover.
In "Cubicles" Melissa Rayworth
receives phone calls at her receptionist job from her desired Paul. Irene
McDonnell, who plays another secretary provided Rayworth with pessimistic
advice and tart comments concerning men. The underlying theme that was
creatively woven in the situation is that while McDonnell was waiting for
papers to work on, she really waiting for a phone call of her own, that
she may never receive.
"Inside the Mind’s Eye" with
Rayworth and Veronica M. Kehoe is a story about a woman reading an eye
chart who swears she sees letters that aren’t there. This was a symbol
for a woman’s life in a modern world. "What you see is your point of view."
The only story that did not
seem to belong in this play was "Pushing Buttons." Although the performances
in this scene by Irene McDonnell and Lynne Halliday were invigorating,
it did not follow the theme of female situations in the workplace. McDonnell,
Halliday’s roommate mistakenly pushed a door buzzer instead of a listen
button. It was a battle for power between the two apartment roommates but
this awkward situation stood alone from the rest.
With confidant direction,
each actress victoriously kept the audience on their feet, although Carol
Halstead carried the show. The writer attacked each scenario successfully.
They were typical situations that every woman could relate to, which is
what made it brilliant.
The play does have a bit
of a downfall. As I sat through the performance I noticed each male moving
uncomfortably in their seats as the stories evolved. This play is like
the Lifetime TV station, by women and only for women.
Todd Butera’s modern "artsy"
set, complimented the plays contemporary structure. Aaron Spivey’s lighting
created a intimate atmosphere, which was appropriate for the theatre.
"Women @ Work" is a fun and
light night out to see theatre. With no intermission, the show falls short
of 90 minutes and a joy to take the road less traveled through typical
female situations in everyday life. Women may want to leave the men home
for this one and take their girlfriends instead.
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