The moral dilemma. Juicy. Delicious. Ideal for the stage. It is at the heart of Only Child, a new play from Leah Annetta. Divorced, uptight Veronika (Sarah Hallam) runs a wedding planning business. She lives with her mother Barbara (Michele Stayner) and her high achieving, 18-year-old daughter Anika (Alessandra Alessio). Anika, in her final year of secondary school, has her sights set on becoming a successful actor. She is waiting for news on whether she has been accepted into the Victorian Academy of Performing Arts.
Veronika’s best friend is fellow divorcee Louise (Sally McLean). The pair of them is hanging out with a couple of glasses of red wine when Veronika receives a disturbing call concerning Anika that upends her world. Barbara, who is close to her granddaughter, knew what Anika had done, but didn’t say anything because she didn’t want to betray a confidence. Now Veronika waits for Anika, who is with her bestie, Louise’s adventurous daughter Sapphire (Hannah McGlinchey), before confronting her. Then the gloves are off … and more revelations follow.
Veronika’s ex, John (Tim Clarke), a senior corporate executive, is agog when he finds out. He is in competition with one other for the role of CEO at the firm he has been with for 15 years. John is worried his daughter’s decision making will affect his chances. He arrives at Veronika’s place with his young intern Jake (Joshua Drake) in tow. Jake has his own ideas about how the situation could be handled. Much conversation follows as Anika and Sapphire assert their desire to pave their own way in the world.
As much as it pains me to do so, I have deliberately left out the elephant in the room because although it is critical to the storyline, I don’t want to spoil the surprise. Set in 2016, Only Child is a story about the here and now, about generational divide and changed boundaries. What may have been an obvious line in the sand as little as 20 years ago is no longer. But if you do choose to cross that line, what are the short, medium and long-term ramifications, if any?
Only Child is funny and dramatic. It is about middle-class people with everyday issues … with foibles and complexities. As a child, parent, grandparent or great grandparent, it invites you, as an observer, to put yourself in the position of Anika, Sapphire, Veronika, John and Barbara. What would you say and do if the tables were turned and it was you or your daughter, granddaughter or great granddaughter involved? The story feels like it has an authentic base. In fact, it originated from an off-hand comment by the author’s eldest daughter. It has been ramped up for theatrical appeal and the script contains some pithy one liners and noteworthy sight gags.
The seven-strong cast bounces off each other well, even if at times I wanted them to relax more into their roles. Some were stiffer than others. I am a great believer in natural performances, which leads an audience to believe the actors are the characters they are portraying. A little tightening here and there by writer Leah Annetta and director Tim Shwredt wouldn’t have gone astray. Still, they have crafted an eminently watchable and enjoyable contemporary dramedy with broad appeal.
Costume and set designer Emma Ingles has created a utilitarian set that establishes Veronika’s comfortable home environment. There’s a modern kitchen backdrop with a lounge room in the foreground. Her choice of clothing for Sapphire, who is somewhat of a wild child, is the standout in terms of costuming. My take home from Only Child: in this new age of ours, where the full impact of AI is yet to be felt, what’s next? Technology and visuals have taken quantum leaps over the past couple of decades, but we have barely begun to brush the surface. Is guidance alone enough to prevent greater exploitation of our children and their children? I fear not.
Only Child is on at Chapel Off Chapel until 4th August, 2024.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- The Dumb Waiter (Chapel off Chapel) – theatre review
- Holding the Man (Chapel Off Chapel) – theatre review
- More than a Game: The Unauthorised Footy Show Musical (Chapel Off Chapel) – theatre review
Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.