Turned on to the Vibrator Play

On a whim today, I went along to the matinee of "In the next room, or the Vibrator Play" at the New Theatre in Sydney. The play, witten in 2009 by Sarah Ruhl was surprisingly thought provoking, as well as very amusing. It is set in victorian era USA. A progressive physician is using the newly invented electric vibrator to treat nervous conditions, while failing to pay attention to his young wife. This allows for some humour about the effect the treatment has, as well as more serious issues of the effects of the narrow lives women were forced to lead. The play runs until Saturday 17 May at the New Theatre, Newtown, Sydney.

The set design by Tom Baderman is lavish, unlike the usual New Theatre austerity. There were some fun effects, with the lights dimming each time the industrial strength vibrator was switched on. Costumes were also lavish, but had to be practical, with several of the cast shedding their outer garments on stage. 

Sarah Greenwood stood out in a uniformly good cast. Her american accent was unobtrusive, reminding me of a young Meg Ryan, in one of her quirky rom com roles. 

The play seemed to be descending into farce, with people popping in through different doors, catching the characters in compromising positions, but that passed. Also the playwright tried perhaps a little too hard to cram too many social issues into the script. However, this can be treated as simply entertainment, or you can try to catch all the references. 

Some elements of the play are stranger than fiction, such as mention of Edison electrocuting assorted animals, to try to discredit his rival Tesla's ACS current electric system.