ROSS & RACHEL
by James Fritz.
Directed by Faran Martin.
Theatre Works. September 18th - 23rd.
“Stanley's performance is magnificent as she navigates the cross narratives and embodies the different identities…This is no mean feat for a performer and Jessica Stanley continually amazes” - Weekend Notes
“Stanley convincingly flits between reality and sitcom, taking the star couple far from the television set.” - The Age
“This particular production stars powerhouse actress Jessica Stanley…Stanley grabs this one-person show by the bull horn and rides the emotional rollercoaster of two very different characters like a seasoned performer.” - BCause Arts
“Stanley gives a committed performance with a demanding script that calls for sudden emotional and tonal changes” - mymelbournearts
“Kudos to Stanley. Ross & Rachel is a marathon... not for one single second did I feel [Stanley] was not in control...she never let us leave the story." - What Did She Think?
“Stanley flawlessly portrays each character” - Bcause Arts
“Great performance from Jessica, and good direction. Faran Martin has let the action and narrative flow. If I had more time I would return. It deserves a second look.” - Peter Green, 3mbs
SYNOPSIS.
“Look at all those couples. Which one will leave. Which one will run. Which one is cheating on the other. Which one will die first.
Him. Him. Her. Him.”
Two lives with only one ending, James Fritz’s masterful play for one actor picks up ten years after the tv show ends, summoning then swiftly exploding nostalgia to confront the aching question – what happens after the end, after you find “the one”? Ross & Rachel lures us in with friendly familiarity only to rip the gloss off the pop-culture-placebo and expose the uncomfortably uneven edges that hold our sometimes boring, sometimes surprising, tragic, funny lives together. Lives we are still tempted to compare to the one with the happy ending.
Following a hit debut season at Edinburgh Fringe, Ross & Rachel finally premieres in Australia. Performed by Jessica Stanley (Ménage, MFF16) and directed by Faran Martin, this candid exposé of marriage, doubt, connection and the inconceivable takes us on an unguided tour of life after the credits roll on our twenties.
No knowledge of the TV series Friends is required to enjoy this show. For those devotees, this is the one that you didn’t see coming…
SEPTEMBER 18th - 23rd, 2018 | THEATRE WORKS
CREATIVES.
Directed by Faran Martin
Performed by Jessica Stanley
Produced by James Cerche
Assistant Directed by Jessica Martin
Lighting Design by Lachlan McLean
Sound Design by Georgie Wolfe
Photography by Sarah Clarke
Content Warning: Contains moderate coarse language and adult themes, including references to suicide and terminal illness.
Auslan Interpreted performance on Thursday September 20th.
An amateur production by arrangement with Dominie Drama on behalf of Nick Hern Books.
GALLERY.
Images by Darcie Richards.