Little Gem

Little Gem is a refreshing theatre piece. It is about three strong-willed women who are on a journey of self discovery (in drama, when isn’t a character on one?). It doesn’t use sentiment, stereotypes or contrived tricks but instead has an honest voice.

Three women deliver alternating monologues. Through the course of their stories, we come to learn that they are in fact three generations of a family. Kay is looking at the prospect of old age and is facing mortality and sexual dissatisfaction. Daughter Lorraine is rebounding from a disastrous marriage that has taken a major toll, financially and emotionally. Granddaughter Amber is on the cusp of adulthood and has just made a life-changing discovery.

Where the play succeeds is in presenting everything with a refreshingly truthful voice. It is easy to genuinely care about the wellbeing and happiness of these three women, and though at times they are in conflict with each other, you will find yourself rooting for all three.

The performances are excellent. All three performers - Anita Reeves as Fay, Hilda Fay as Lorraine and Sara Greene as Amber - each presents a character that seems both truthful and real. These are not dramatic stereotypes but flawed women.

Writer Elaine Murphy has written a script that is complex without being complicated and poetic without being too flowery. It’s hard to believe she is a first-time playwright because there is such maturity in the writing, not only in the dialogue but in the overall construction of the script. Novices have a habit of over-explaining (something many experienced playwrights do, too), but here the audience is presented with exactly what it needs. Murphy’s work as an actor has probably had a large hand in its success.

Director Paul Meade clearly trusts the script because he hasn’t tried to add too many flourishes. All three actresses sit in chairs for the entire 90 minutes, only speaking and moving when the light comes up on them to continue their personal story. That trust, of both writer and the actors, pays high emotional dividends and allows the audience to follow the three women’s stories much more carefully.

This funny and poignant production is indeed a little gem.

Watch extracts from Little Gem here.