Cody vs Cody

  • Synopsis
  • The Cast
  • The Crew
  • Performance Details
  • Reviews

Synopsis

The action takes place in Anna's mind and Mr Justice Cody's legal chambers.

Written By  : Leonard Radic
Directed by : Trudy Pearce


The Cast:

Maurice Cody, a judge Terry McCoy
Anna Cody, his wife Bronwyn Ruciak
Simon Harris, his associate Jerry Zimmer
Vickie Harris, Simon's wifeTracy Wilson
Dr. Liebe, the German ConsulDan Hynes
Gus Greening, the German ConsulDan Hynes
Jury ForemanDan Hynes

The Crew

DirectorTrudy Pearce
Stage Manager and Assistant to the Director Karen Winston
CostumesBetty Fairfield and the Cast
Lighting DesignMichael Bentley and John Fitzpatrick
Lighting OperationMatthew Gordon-Clarke
Follow Spot Operator Rob Zibell
SoundTrudy Pearce
Backstage and PropertiesSharon Lawn
Box Office and Financial Management Trish Phillips
Set DesignKym Clayton and Trudy Pearce
Set Construction and PaintingBruce Mildren, Stan Fairfield, Max Bowden, Tom Anderson and Clarke Staker
Publicity and PromotionJean McCormick and Margaret Dixon
ProgrammeLeanne Robinson
PhotographsAdrien Pearce

Performance Details:

Thursday 11th July 2002 to Saturday 13th July 2002 8.00pm
Thursday 18th July 2002 to Saturday 20th July 2002 8.00pm
Saturday 13th July 2002 2.00pm

Domain Theatre
Marion Cultural Centre
Cnr Diagonal and Sturt Roads (Adjacent Westfield Shoppingtown Marion)
Oaklands Park


Messenger Press Review

DIRECTOR Trudy Pearce writes in her program notes that this 1970s ''women's liberation'' piece by Leonard Radic is still relevant today.
While that may be so in theory, it is difficult to empathise with Anna Cody (Bronwyn Ruciak) as she rails against her 20-year marriage to Maurice, an eminent high court judge, casting herself as the accused in an imaginary trial. In a minimal setting, Ruciak carries the bulk of the intelligent dialogue as she pours forth a bitter stream of invective against what her husband has made her become through years of clever put-downs.
It is difficult to find what the author - a man - is really trying to say about the character. Is Anna an ungrateful, bitter and twisted woman, already doomed to fail in life and using her long-suffering husband as an excuse? Or has she truly been driven mad by years of emotional abuse?
Ruciak delivers the lines fluently and with feeling but there is a lack of lightness and the moments of sympathy for her character are rare. The fact that she looks too young for the role compared to other cast members could be easily fixed with adjustments to hair and makeup. Most of the time Anna is kept rooted to the spot delivering long and complex monologues. When the character is allowed to move, she shines.
Scene-changes into Anna's memories could be quicker and more dreamlike. Blackouts to set them up are unnecessary and break the mood, but otherwise this intricate piece runs smoothly.
Anna's husband, Maurice (Terry McCoy) is appropriately maddeningly calm and patronising. McCoy realises the character well despite occasionally searching for lines. Jerry Zimmer, as the featureless Simon, and Tracy Wilson, as his pretty, amenable wife Vickie, tackle their supporting roles well.
Dan Hynes handles three small roles very well. His scene as a low-brow painter of nudes is extremely good and comes as a welcome relief from the heaviness of the text.
This Australian play is not altogether satisfying, but it is interesting, open-ended and intelligent with enough left unsaid to keep you thinking after the curtain closes.

SUE OLDKNOW
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