The Winners (Owl & Cat) – theatre review

Cassie (Claire Sara) and Kurt (Timmy Knowles) are a mega-rich couple in their late thirties, who have more money that most people would know what to do with. You see they have just won $337 million in the lottery and how do they celebrate? They don’t quit their jobs, rather they hire an escort – 23-year-old Tiffany (a woman of Asian-American origin) – to spend the night with. Experienced she may be, but Tiffany has never had an encounter quite like the one that lies ahead. What starts out as Cassie’s sexual fantasy – she has always fancied getting it on with an exotic woman – turns into something far darker.

The Winners morphs from a whip smart comedy into a powerful drama after interval as the harsh reality of Cassie and Kurt’s possible predicament dawns on Cassie. This is a play that concentrates on power and through various scenes each of the three characters has it and has no hesitation in using it. In fact, it turns them into very ugly people. But who is really pulling the strings? Who will have the ultimate say? And, in the wash up, can money really buy freedom or will freedom always come at a price that can’t be valued in dollars and cents?

A most incisive piece of writing from American David L. Williams (a graduate of the theatre department at Cornell University), he is responsible for more than 25 plays and musicals. His work – which has received numerous awards – has been produced across North America, in Europe and now Australia.

Ra Chapman (an Australian-Korean actress whose work spans films, television and theatre), who plays the hooker, puts it well when she says “the themes explored are polarising and startling … there is nothing polite about David L. Williams’ work”. And nor should there be because that is exactly what gives it the edge that makes it compelling and oh so thought provoking.

All the action we see takes place in the lounge of Cassie and Kurt’s rented home. A typical suburban setting features a three-seater couch with a couple of armchairs, a pot plant that has seen better days, a table lamp and a few books that are strewn around. Then there are references in the dialogue to a couple of bedrooms and a bathroom.

Director Gabrielle Savrone, who is fast building an enviable reputation for her bold repertoire, has this time chosen a play that when she first read she detested. In fact, such was her adverse reaction to it she decided she should investigate that further. It was her university lecturer who told her that when you hate something you have as much to learn as when you have the inverse response. Upon re-reading The Winners, she not only realised what it was about, but fell for it big time. She came to the rightful conclusion that it presents “a unique and fun way of looking at the evil of money,” not to overlook our capabilities and unspoken desires.

Undoubtedly one to see with a partner or friend (so you can discuss it afterwards), The Winners – which runs for an hour and a half, including a 10-minute interval – is on at the Owl and Cat Theatre until 19th February. It is well worth a look.

Alex First