Dinner Anyone?

Synopsis
 

ACT I – Overtones
1965 Melbourne’s inner south-east, socialite Harriet Goodrich hosts a guest for tea
ACT II – Hearts
Same location 1966, Harriet is assisted by her daughter Elaine in planning the perfect dinner party
ACT III – Fourteen
Later that month, the day of the dinner party and fortune proves to be truly outrageous!

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About the Adaptation
 

Alice Gersternburg (1885-1972) was an American playwright and actress, best known for her experimental and absurdist drama. Considered “feminist” in her day, her plays’ political teeth have been somewhat filed down by the decades. While they still depict the foibles and shortcomings of our society, these are viewed through her very particular lens which betrays Gerstenburg’s social status. It’s difficult for a modern reader to know which of her characters their sympathies should lie with. Gersternburg’s comedic curtain-raisers, some as short as 10 minutes in duration, are little gems and while they are of their era, the humour shines through. I chose three of her scripts to form the foundation for “Dinner Anyone?”. Overtones is a play about hidden motives behind social niceties. Two actors play acquaintances, meeting after a long absence. Two other actors play their inner voices and translate the subtext for the audience. Hearts reveals its story through gossip at a bridge game, and Fourteen, the play that is most recognisable in this adaptation, is the story of a socialite trying to throw the soiree of the season. The Prince of Wales features in conversation throughout Fourteen so we brought the setting forward from 1919, when Edward, Prince of Wales was visiting the US, to 1966 when Charles, Prince of Wales was in Australia. We enjoyed exploring footage from the ABC’s archives of vox pop from the decade as well as dipping into vintage fashion, etiquette, and cuisine. I like to think of the result as an outsider’s peep through the curtains at Melbourne’s upper crust.