With the first Grand Slam of the year in full swing, how timely and gobsmackingly entertaining is this riotous rom-com! You simply must see it. Twenty-five-year-old Lucas is the number three tennis player in the world, who has just lost a four-set encounter with Roger Federer at the US Open. Still, he vows to get his own back on the Swiss maestro, with the Aussie Open not far away.
Lucas has also been in an open gay relationship with 31-year-old Felix for six years. The pair is talking with Felix’s parents, Peter and Belinda, about the prospect of marriage. Lucas is hot property in more ways than one. To Peter and Belinda’s horror, he claims to have slept with more than 800 men, as they are propositioning him all the time.
He and Felix see no reason not to continue their open relationship once they are married. In fact, they still intend to embrace that lifestyle. Although shocked, before long Belinda is raising concerns about her own marriage, which sees her and Peter explore new avenues – apart. She has her mind set on climbing Mt Everest, while he begins to explore his sexuality, taking an avid interest in the other side.
Although Lucas is on board, Felix is not at all comfortable with his folks’ new arrangement. Felix’s sister Annabelle, a particle physicist based in Switzerland, who posts Lucas’ socials, thinks otherwise. She makes a surprise return for Christmas and then finds that one of her particularly candid posts goes viral, rocking Lucas and Felix’s relationship to its core.
An energetic production, unfolding at pace, Australian Open contains a surfeit of zingers – smart one liners and visual gags – that delight and excite. The material is bold and bawdy, at times downright hilarious. Cleverly written by Angus Cameron, the conceit is superbly realised and here I am referring to every aspect of the show.
That includes the staging, costuming, lighting, sound (incorporating toe taping pop music snippets) and acting, brought together seamlessly by director Riley Spandaro. The five performers – Eddie Orton, Sebastian Li, Jane Montgomery Griffiths, Alec Gilbert and Melissa Kahraman – are uniformly excellent.
Each has their times to shine. In fact, it would be unfair to single out one above any of the others, as they are all so slick, with masterful comic timing. In short, there are several balls in the air that are flying thick and fast.
As we enter the theatre, Melissa Kahraman, who plays Annabelle, is seated atop an umpire’s chair in sunnies, calling the shots. The stage – where most of the action takes place – is reminiscent of a white lined, vibrant blue, hard court tennis court, with bubbly at the ready. Overhead, 14 disco mirror balls of varying sizes. Think Saturday Night Fever.
The most impactful scene is arguably that when a fully kitted out Belinda is on her Everest sojourn. Magnificent! An awkward, shirtless Lucas and Peter encounter also can’t be unseen. Australian Open is a beauty that resonates from go to whoa. It is so good that I would gladly see it again tomorrow. It is on at Theatre Works until 31st January, 2026.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Blood Wedding (Theatre Works) – theatre review
- Draw Two (Theatre Works’ Explosives Factory) – theatre review
- Dial M for Murder (Theatre Works) ★★★★
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.