Queensland Theatre has played it safe with the original two-person cast of Georgie Parker and Glenn Hazeldine back for a re-run of David Williamson’s 2010 hit play, Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica. First staged at the Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre, the production returns with original director Mark Kilmurry, designer Veronique Bennett and composer and sound designer Daryl Wallis – all of whom are making their Queensland Theatre debut.
While several of Williamson’s works (Don’s Party, The Removalists, The Club), especially the older ones, tackle social and political satire Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica is a more intimate and everyday tale of two ordinary people suffering from loneliness. Parker is a former symphony orchestra violinist who’s had to give up her job and her dream because of painful shoulder tendonitis. Feeling directionless without the main thing that’s defined her, she takes out a lot of her frustration on her new kitchen renovator, Gary.
Glenn Hazeldine plays the affable but often irritating tradie, who insists that he knows better than the person paying him for his skills. Whether it’s a porcelain sink (it really should be stainless steel) or cupboards with legs (that should be plinths), Gary has that recognisable air about him that makes many people uncomfortable with having a stranger invade their home space – especially one who seems to find any excuse to increase the price from their original quote.
But what really rubs Monica up the wrong way is Gary’s taste in music. He insists on blasting country vibes through her Bluetooth speaker, which she promptly turns off and replaces with Mahler or Bach. The pair starts to verbally duke it out, pointing out the reasons why their respective choices of music are superior. It’s light and amusing, with the play being undemanding of audiences.
Act II sees Monica in a new light, with the previously stitched-up music snob letting it all hang out after more than a few drinks, having agreed to a date with Gary. In turn, Gary reveals a previously unseen vulnerability. The audience (who, it must be said veers into the older demographic) laughed along until the feel-good conclusion. Most seemed to leave with a smile on their face.
Theatre doesn’t have to be challenging. Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica, isn’t. Rather, it is a pleasant night at the theatre and a chance to see two actors at the top of their game, familiar with each other and the material, having a good time. In this crazy and disturbing world, surely that’s not a bad thing. Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica is on at Bille Brown Theatre until 21st June, 2025.
Vicki Englund
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica (Ensemble) – theatre review
- Gaslight (Queensland Theatre) – theatre review
- The 39 Steps (QT) – 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.
