Culture

In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)
Written by: Sarah Ruhl
Directed by: Lara Macgregor
Cast: Claire Dougan, Hilary Halba, Anna Henare, Nic Kyle,
Chelsea McEwan Millar, Conrad Newport, and Jason Whyte

When a play makes such overt reference to things of a sexual nature you expect one of two things: an informative and squirm-inducing lecture, or something bordering on farcical and vulgar. The Fortune’s latest production was neither, and I was pleasantly and repeatedly surprised throughout. In the dawn of the electrical age, Dr. Givings, a clever but emotionally switched-off man, treats his patients for hysteria with his most recent invention, the electric vibrator.

There’s an underlying irony and sadness to the doctor’s unknowing pleasuring of women while his wife remains unsatisfied and lonely. The narrative layers are so subtly introduced that by the end it comes as a shock that you’ve become personally invested in every character.

The humour derives from the characters’ outdated ideas and lack of knowledge of female sexuality. Ruhl cleverly intertwines our era with theirs – characters believe they’re living the modern life, leaving you laughing at their idea of modernity.

The subtle comedy keeps you laughing throughout, punctuated by “operating theatre” scenes where Dougan masters the delicate balance between subtle and ridiculous, and brings great joy to the audience with her variety of facial expressions. It is a wonder that the theatre nurse Halba manages to keep a straight face, as some sounds created are outright hilarious. Each character develops beautifully throughout the show, becoming a new person before your very eyes. The cast is out of this world. Special mention must go to Chelsea McEwan Millar, who leads the show and does a breathtaking job in her first professional production ever.

The set and props are marvellously rich in colour and true to the era, an impressive achievement. The ability to show two rooms at once instills a sort of god-like complex in the audience. You’re the only one who can see everything going on behind the locked doors, along with knowledge of the future that the characters don’t have. The mix of electrical lighting and candlelight was beautiful, and the costumes were glorious.

There is little I can find wrong with In The Next Room. I felt like I was transported to another world, and often forgot I was watching a performance. I don’t want to give too much away, as I urge all to see the play, but whoever was in charge of the snow – yes snow! – is amazing. Programming this piece in winter was a very smart move, as the audience nods along with characters describing the freezing yet sunny winter days.

In The Next Room, or the Vibrator Play is the best piece of theatre I have seen for a very long time. It is a triumph for the Fortune this year. It is rare to see such a complete and sharp performance, particularly on opening night. Every aspect, from the set and lighting to the acting and costumes, stunned me. It is obvious that it is a work of love and passion that has been worked on tirelessly. I have fallen in love with every aspect of this play, and encourage everyone to see it. I guarantee you will laugh, cry, and laugh some more.