Shane Jacobson and Todd McKenney are one of the best duos in Australian theatre at the moment. Coming most recently from their husband and wife performance in the recent national tour of Hairspray, the two have a symbiotic relationship that translates very nicely to the stage. Now the two have swapped their musical chops for more classic acting roles, playing a duo of divorcees who take the plunge into co-living in The Odd Couple, which is playing at the Theatre Royal.

The play first premiered in 1965 and while some elements of the play feel dated, many remain surprisingly relevant. At its heart, this is a play about human nature, exploring the dynamic of an obsessive ‘neat freak’ who moves in with a slob and the chaos that ensues. But it also peripherally deals with other issues such as cost of living and loneliness which are matters that still feel incredibly apt in the present day. This means that the dated references to telegrams and the like feel more quaint than alienating and off-putting, which allows the play’s message to shine through.

The play begins in a poker game with Oscar (Shane Jacobson) and his friends, who all eschew their obligations to participate in the increasingly indulgent game. When they receive news that Oscar’s friend Felix (Todd McKenney) is contemplating suicide over the breakdown of his marriage, he is invited to stay with Oscar while he sorts out his affairs. While Oscar is initially pleased with Felix’s compulsion to cook and clean, it slowly wears upon his nerves.

Similarly, for Felix, Oscar’s messiness and tardiness begin to weigh upon him. All of this culminates in a disastrous evening just as Felix and Oscar are about to embark upon a double date, wholly at Oscar’s insistence. As Felix eventually moves out and it seems as though Oscar is free from his compulsions, a few surprise twists at the end of the show rock the equilibrium of his apartment one more time.

With an interesting but somewhat plain source material, the success of this play is almost entirely dependent on the quality of the acting. In this regard, the stellar cast assembled by Mark Kilmurry does a fine job in drawing every bit of life out of the source material. Jacobson and McKenney are engaging in their roles and work well in tandem to bring out the humour and absurdity of the narrative. But in fact it is Lucy Durack and Penny McNamee as Cecily and Gwendolyn Pigeon that are the highlights of this production. Playing two sisters who embark on double dates with Felix and Oscar, Durack and McNamee light the stage up with energy throughout the second act, leaving the audience in stitches at many points with their considered comedic acting. They play off each other as well as Jacobson and McKenney very well and provide a thoughtful contrast to the rest of the performers on stage.

The rest of the cast are also strong, helping to explore character in many of the play’s key moments. Ultimately, where the play struggles is in overcoming the pacing of the source material, which can feel a little dreary at times in spite of the best efforts of all on stage. Despite the relevance of many of the play’s themes, ultimately, the source material is not overly ambitious in its messaging, which means in the moments between the comedy on stage, substance is sometimes lacking. The gruff and physical style of humour, whilst brilliantly executed, could also be considered a little dated, which perhaps impacts its efficacy at times.

Overall, this is an incredibly well-performed play with a fabulous cast who highlight many of the enduring themes that the source material presents. The comedic duos of Jacobson and McKenney and Durack and McNamee ensure that this is a great night out, teasing every bit of humour out of the script. While the style of humour may not resonate with everyone, seeing some of Australia’s finest performers in their element is certainly a privilege and a testament to their versatility. For top-class acting skill, it is hard to go past the four leads in this production.

Rating: ★★★★

The Odd Couple plays at the Theatre Royal until 28^th July. For more information, click here.

Photo: Pia Johnson