SYDNEY FRINGE: THE OILY RAG MURDER
Not-so dashing Donald (Matt Jones) returns to war-torn London a wounded and broken man – not to mention broke. He is deep in debt to a local ruffian arising from his passion for the horses. His escape plan involves marrying his sweetheart Amelia (Jessica McKerlie), who is on the verge of inheriting an enormous sum of money. Is his love for Amelia genuine, or does he have designs elsewhere? Can dishy cousin Lucy (Danielle Nicholson) be trusted? If there really are rats in the attic, why does the lady of the house (Kaz Getts) seem so keen to keep people out of it? And what is the family lawyer and illegitimate half brother of Amelia’s role in all this? ‘The show must go on’ is the philosophy behind the setting of this play. Based on real events, a production of the play The Oily Rag Murder must go ahead with improvised costumes and set after an unforseen disaster has left the company empty-handed. While this inspiration is an admirable one – and definitely one that this writer can relate to, having experienced myself how charged and real a performance can be under such circumstances – it has little to do with the bulk of the play and does seem a little contrived. The banter between the performers at the beginning is clever enough, but one is left to wonder how these extra-added bonuses serve the story. During the performance I attended, the play had reached what seemed its natural conclusion and the audience dutifully began their applause, only to feel embarrassed as actors moved props, ready for a final scene that left us all itching to get to the bar. The meat of this play though, is in the comical murder mystery, and the ensemble cast largely display comic timing to effect. Jessica McKerlie is Coward-esque in her portrayal of the emotional Amelia, while Matt Jones and David Woodland are both solid in their roles.
Sep 21-25 (season now closed), New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown, $20-24, thesydneyfringe.org.au
BY CRAIG COVENTRY
