Speed-The-Plow

Sydney Theatre Company

In a curious coincidence the Sydney Theatre Company and the Darlinghurst Theatre Company are staging David Mamet plays simultaneously and in a even greater coincidence my theatre subscriptions purchased fully twelve months ahead had me seeing the two plays on consecutive evenings.

The STC is staging 'Speed-The-Plow'. Whereas last night's play centred on the theatre, tonight's play centres on movie production. Another odd coincidence.

Two producers propose a genre action film guaranteed box office success by the participation of a major star but when they involve an apparently uninformed temp secretary into the discussions minds appear to change. Is it a case of the get rich quick American dream versus the power of good?

I'm in two minds about underlying gender issues in this play but the performances by Rose Byrne, Damon Herriman and Lachy Hulme carry the night.

★★★