The Paris Letter – Darlinghurst Theatre

Penned by Jon Robin Baitz, the creator and producer of the hit television series Brothers and Sisters, The Paris Letter shares many thematic similarities with its writer’s most famous work: namely, the increasingly messy relationships we forge as we go through life.

It tells the story of a pair of gay friends – the dandy Anton, who accepts his sexuality with aplomb, and the straitlaced Sandy, whose refusal to come to terms with his desires causes him lifelong pain. The story spans almost half a century as the pair grow from lovestruck young men, and the five actors on stage each play multiple roles through various time periods.

Directed by Stephen Colyer, this Darlinghurst Theatre production of the play starts strongly but sadly runs out of steam in its second act, despite the valiant efforts of an outstanding cast.

The performances are uniformly top-notch, but special mention must go to the cast’s sole female actor, Susie Lindeman, who handles even her most emotionally demanding scenes with a welcome grace and lightness of touch. Caleb Alloway is also impressive (and adorable) as the young Sandy, perfectly portraying his character’s internal struggles. Indeed, Lindeman and Alloway’s scene together as mother and son, both nervously skirting around the issue of his sexuality, is the play’s best.

Unfortunately, the wheels rather fall off in the production’s overlong second act. As the characters age, Baitz’s script lurches from drama to melodrama and we’re left to battle through an increasingly overwrought final half-hour. It’s a shame The Paris Letter fizzles rather than sparks in the end, because pre-interval it shaped up as one of the stronger offerings of the Mardi Gras season.

info: The Paris Letter, Darlinghurst Theatre, until March 25. www.darlinghursttheatre.com