An unromantic comedy
“If you haven’t met someone by the time you graduate, you’re going to marry some idiot from your work.”
That’s just about the least romantic sentence anyone could wish to read, and it’s the central conceit — as well as one of the many laugh-out-loud lines — of My Romantic History, the opening play of Red Stitch’s second 2011 season.
Red Stitch member Tim Potter plays Tom, who hooks up with co-worker Amy at a particularly boozy after-work drinks function. From there, the pair face the prospect of a relationship that neither really wanted or is particularly ready for.
“It’s a comedy of awkwardness, similar to The Office. It’s all about the awkwardness of dating and relationships,” Potter told the Star Observer of the D.C. Jackson-penned play, which played to critical acclaim at the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
“The main focus is on that relationship between Tom and Amy, but through that, we delve into both those characters’ past relationships as well.”
That means that the three actors in the piece — Potter is joined on stage by guest actors Zoe Boesen and Ngaire Dawn Fair — take on multiple roles, playing a total of 12 characters during the show.
“Most of the scenes are half a page or a page long, so you’re constantly jumping between settings, times and characters. It’s tiring — you’ve got to be on your toes!”
Potter, who has a background in stand-up comedy, said he was enjoying the opportunity to sink his teeth into a comedic role.
“I started doing stand-up initially to waylay my fears about acting. I thought if I could stand up and deliver my own material, I’d be able to try anything. This isn’t to dissimilar to that — it’s a comedy and there are a lot of moments when I’m speaking directly to the audience, making them laugh.”
INFO: My Romantic History, July 13 – August 13. www.redstitch.net
