Arts
Cold Theatre 7 returns with The Opposite Sex
Three is a crowd but four is a party, and Cold Theatre 7’s production of The Opposite Sex by English playwright David Tristam is a comical example of how badly a party can go when marriages break down and secrets old and new bubble to the surface.
Kavitha Gunesekera and Shehan Wijemanne in a scene from the play. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Directed by Kevin Cruze, the story follows two couples who cross paths and, unbeknownst to them, share surprising connections.
Mark, described by all as a yuppie, is married to both his work and to Vicky – ironically a marriage guidance counsellor herself. The story begins to unravel its complicated web when Mark recognises door-to-door cosmetics salesperson Jeanette as she drops by their place, leading to a dinner invitation. As she and her husband- uptight, politically-inclined lecturer Derrick – show up and the truth starts to come out, the pleasant evening everyone hoped for is a fast-deteriorating dream.
Shocking revelations threaten to shake up their worlds irreparably – resulting in one hilariously awkwarddinner party.
Bringing the characters to life on stage are Shehan ‘Babs’ Wijemanne and Wayne White (alternating) as Mark, Sulochana Perera as Vicky, Wasaam Ismail as Derrick and Kavitha Gunesekera as Jeanette.
Though it is set in the 1980s, audiences today will no doubt recognise parts of their own lives within the clever words of this contemporary farce on marriage and relationships that transcend time periods.
That’s all part of the fun, according to director and founder of Cold Theatre 7 Kevin Cruze. He believes that for the play to work, you need to connect and relate to the audience, through the situation or by making them see themselves in the characters.
“I think that is the beauty of it. There’s tension between the couples, but for the third person who is watching it’s actually hilarious.”
Amateur theatre group Cold Theatre 7 has been delighting theatre goers with their innovative style since 2013. Previous productions include Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, The Mousetrap, Peter Pan, 12 Angry Men and 12 Angry Women, as well as playing hosts to the Inter-School House Cup for drama since 2017.
Kevin wanted to do something a little different this year – this is their first full-length comedy, and a step out of their comfort zone in terms of genre and its simplicity and bare-bones cast.
The biggest challenges are also its biggest positives, as comedy is all about timing and nailing the line delivery to ensure a laugh from the audience. With a cast of just four, Kavitha points out that it is on everyone to make sure that the entire show keeps going.
Kevin credits the script itself for being clever and hilarious in its witty lines and banter without the use of slapstick humour, as well as the actors themselves.
“It’s working well because of the chemistry and bonding. It’s a very tight group, and we’re able to connect really well.”
Guaranteed to be a tumultuous laugh riot, catch The Opposite Sex on November 16, 17 and 18 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. Visit www.coldtheatre7.com/oppositesexor the Cold Theatre 7 Facebook page for ticket information.