THE LUNCH HOUR

A dark, contemporary comedy about what we do to get through the day – the distractions we create and the games that we play, The Lunch Hour is an intelligent, entertaining and challenging insight into the frustrations of six struggling artists. The full-length follow up to the 2006 hit, Human Resources, it is the latest collaboration between acclaimed director Kate Gaul and writer Chris Aronsten that deftly explores the themes of failure, control and isolation. It begins as a conventional drama set within a call centre, before turning in on itself to become a prize-winning play within a play. “It constantly changes genre,” explains actor Gerry Sont – the boss and nemesis in the play. “It’s partly absurdist, partly melodrama.” Kate has cast an extraordinary ensemble of talented people, while Chris’s astute examination of the pain of not being able to realize your dreams is poignantly portrayed by the carefully sculpted characters and snappy dialogue. Familiar to anyone who’s been in a dead end job, “you will see so many people you know,” says Gerry. “It challenges the way we look at people and ourselves.”

Sep 7-Oct 7, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Potts Point, $28-38, 8556 9987, darlinghursttheatre.com