The more you make art about one specific thing the more you create something that resonates with all of us.
In ‘Frankie And Johnny In The Clair De Lune’, writer Terrence McNally wrote a story about two people spending the night together and debating the merits of connection. The play was written in the 1980s and set in New York City and in this adaptation, there is no change to the text.
The actors admirably perform with working class accents of the time and there are cultural references which may be unfamiliar to audience members. There has been four decades of conversations revolving around trauma, economics and gender dynamics since the show was first performed, that present these characters possibly differently than when the show debuted all these years ago. Yet the simple truth that something specific will personally resonate with those who have not personally experienced it, underpins the ongoing delight and power of this story. . . And underpins the ongoing delight and power of human relationships.
Johnny (Nathaniel Currie) and Frankie (Candice Hill) work at a local diner and have gone on their first date. We meet them as they arrive at her apartment and will see how the rest of their night will play out. Both actors give performances that stay true to the elusive idea of what a New York personality is. A mixture of loud and brash, street smart and tough but with a self-deprecating sense of humour. Nathaniel gives Johnny a particular ease with himself, early on he lies back on the bed naked and relaxes like a cheshire cat. Candice matches him climbing up on furniture, wearing an iconic dressing gown and strutting around in what is her space – not his. In their conversations, he has an answer for everything, when he does not, he simply looks and smiles a big broad grin. Candice does more with less, subtly throwing away lines to the side that reveal a lot about her character.
Pay attention and you can see that the two of them shift who is driving the conversation and who is responding seamlessly. Her pushing him to come clean about the state of the world, him insisting they can make a better one. The trick of the production is just when you have had enough of Johnny, he describes something about love and life that will break your heart because you know it’s true, and Frankie knows it too.
The production design of the apartment lovingly displays items that suit a low rent space from 40 years ago. Depending on your age, you might smile to see Tupperware containers that remind you of your youth, or your grandmother. Having lovingly recreated a time and place, Johnny’s urging to Frankie to not waste time rings true.
Time has a power, in one night you can really share something with somebody. You can talk and make love all night, hoping it will never end, and when the sun comes up you discover that your life is about to begin. 'Frankie And Johnny In The Clair De Lune', Frankie and Johnny and all of us wanting to be in love.
‘Frankie And Johnny In The Clair De Lune’ plays at Ad Astra Theatre (Brisbane) until 22 November.
