At the end of drunken night out all that Gemma and Jane want is to jump into a taxi, get home and crash into bed. But it’s that time of night when cabs are few and far between and those that do appear are already occupied. Despite their screaming, shouting and frantic waving some, perhaps wisely, just ignore them and drive on. Then they see a drop-dead gorgeous hunk of guy with a moustache turn to look at them with an alluring eye before disappearing into the night. Is this the man of Gemma's dreams? Later, they see a man by the distant bushes doing something that should only be carried out in private. Jane captures the event on her camera and a black cat also takes an interest in what is going on.
A fun-filled hour of exciting new material
Rank, at the Lantern Theatre, is the debut play from Goldie Majtas who also plays Gemma opposite Paige Cowell as Jane. To say more about the plot would risk giving too much away, but the loose ends are brought together in a neatly crafted story that is packed with humour. Playing drunk is an acting challenge but Cowell shows exactly how it should be done. From the stumbling around to the slurred conversation she hilariously captures the lack of control that follows an excess of alcohol. Rather than have them both in this extreme state Majitas shows that Gemma, though tipsy, can clearly handle the drink and be the supportive friend when the need arises.
Sobering up the next day, the two embark on working out what was going on the night before. Through studied use of social media and the photos Jane took the pieces of the jigsaw come together, the plot thickens and the story moves on with the efficiency of a police investigation until all is revealed and they find themselves in a very difficult situation that leads to a dark turn of events and a chilling ending.
Julia Mandler directs this play, full of twists and turns, with precision and pace. With two talented performers and a solid script she draws out the comedy, effectively using pauses and looks that speak volumes to give some hilarious moments. The bond between the two characters in their twenties is evident throughout and there is a joyous feeling of the crazy times they have living together. Natalia Glow creates a suitable sense of realism managing the set, props and costumes in the intimate space.
Rank is a fun-filled hour of exciting new material that augurs well for the writing future of Majitas.
