The wellness industry gets a well-deserved dressing down in Marieke Hardy’s uproarious comedy with a dark underbelly, Losing Face. Jo (Michala Banas), Lauren (Christie Whelan Browne) and Simone (Madeleine Sami) have been besties since … forever. Only these days they don’t see much of each other because, well, life has gotten in the way.
In fact, they haven’t been together for five years, when with only a week’s notice, Jo invites them to join her at an upmarket retreat named Royal You. Jo, who is turning 50 during their four-day stay, is determined to reconnect and have fun. Of no fixed address, she appears to have landed on her feet and become a travel writer, hence this freebie.
Lauren is a harried wife and mother of twins, who has moved from the city to Castlemaine and never has a moment to herself. Simone drops the news that she is engaged … to a 32-year-old woman whom she has only known for 10 months. While Jo and Lauren and Jo and Simone seem tight, there are tensions between Lauren and Simone, after Lauren didn’t receive an invitation to Simone’s wedding.
The upbeat, supercilious, wellness centre guru is a man who defies age, with the pretentious name of Tomas (you have to drag out the “a”, so Tomaaas), played by Wil King. His chief advocate is his receptionist and nurse (Genevieve Morris). Morris doubles as a competitive, older guest at the retreat. What Jo, Lauren and Simone discover is that far from being only a wellness facility that offers facials, body treatments and a spa, it is also a medical centre.
The trio’s “flaws” are highlighted in no uncertain terms. They are goaded into trying to reclaim their youthful selves, so after getting drunk and high, each finds themselves black and blue, and bandaged. All I can say is careful what you wish for.
Developed through MTC’s NEXT STAGE Writers’ Program, Losing Face contains line after line of hilarity, as well as some dirty dealings. It has been magnificently realised by a handful of outstanding actors, who pontificate and flit about, and an equally accomplished behind the scenes’ team.
Michala Banas plays free spirited with distinction. Christie Whelan Browne revels in being weighed down, leaving her character’s wild days behind. As Simone, Madeleine Sami is determined to live life on her terms. Wil King gives a bravura performance as the highly showy wellness guru. In both her roles, Genevieve Morris makes an art form of buying into the hype surrounding eternal youth, Tomas and Royal You.
The multi-level, opulent set design, with revolving centrepiece, by set and costume designer Jo Briscoe, is masterful. It depicts a reception area, treatment room, suite, open spa and a cliff top. Headlining the costuming is the boyish, effeminate outfit worn by Tomas and oversize hat atop the older guest. As we enter the theatre, a series of affirmations on the curtain that covers the stage sets the tone of the wellness retreat.
At the start of the play proper, a giant video display reveals the three women at the centre of proceedings in extreme close up (how confronting) readying themselves. Plaudits to the audio-visual designer Justin Gardam. The impact of Losing Face wouldn’t be complete without the rigorous efforts of lighting designer Amelia Lever-Davidson and composer/sound designer Kelly Ryall.
Even before seeing this, I worried greatly about the potential negative impact of the focus on beauty at any cost in our society. Think injectables, nips, tucks and body lifts. Losing Face plays on the alarm with alacrity and polish. One hour 45 minutes without interval, it may be a hoot, but it also sends a powerful message.
Well directed by Leticia Cáceres, it is on at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner until 25th July, 2026.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Dying: A Memoir (MTC) – theatre review
- Britney Spears: The Cabaret (Chapel off Chapel) – theatre review
- Never Have I Ever (MTC) – theatre review
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.
