Clybourne Park

(Melbourne Theatre Company)

Generally two act stage comedies lose steam in the second act. If they are at all funny then the first act is usually the funnier act as though the author's good idea is running out of steam the longer the play proceeds.

Bruce Norris' play Clybourne Park bucks the trend with a very strong second act that is funnier than the first act which is not without solid humour of it's own.

The two acts are set inside the same house.

In Act 1 it is the 1950s post the Korean War and a couple has sold the house and is in the process of moving out when neighbours learn that the new buyers are an African-American couple. This raises tensions involving territory, race and culture.

Act 2 fast forwards 50 years and the same house, now with it's own African American history, has been purchased by an upwardly mobile young white couple whose renovation plans for the house trigger parallel issues of territory, race and culture in the neighbourhood.

A very funny play delivering some serious messages which was well received at the performance I attended.

I recommend it.