The Lace Market Theatre kicks off the year by transporting us to the 1920s with Steven Peros’ play The Cat’s Meow, which is full of Hollywood glamour, risky affairs with a side of murder.
Charlotte Hukin’s direction of the true story takes a journey out to sea on William Hearst’s yacht full of jazz-era characters such as film stars, fabulous flappers, lawyers, and the richest of the rich.
Encapsulating the sex and scandal of Hollywood, The Cat’s Meow doesn’t shy away from exposing the audience to substance abuse, betrayal, love affairs, murder, and the cover-ups that follow.
The play explores one of the more indelicate theories of the speculation around what happened to infamous movie studio head, Thomas Ince, leading up to his sudden death.
Elinor, played by Alison Hope, narrates and plays an English novelist and screenwriter within the story, who stood out to me as the true star of the show.
Introducing and closing the play, Hope sets the scene with a brief introduction of who the characters are, and that despite 13 boarding the boat, only 12 make it out alive.
Hope’s delivery of the fantastic script is full of sharp comedic timing and an understated performance that is both charming and honest.
William Randolph Hearst, played by Micah Darmola, leads the unwavering tension throughout, often snapping at guests and when he is not, his expression will tell you everything you need to know.
Darmola portrays his character with simmering intensity, as he struggles to maintain control over both his business ambitions and his personal insecurities; the romantic dynamics involving Hearst, Marion Davies (Holly Cooke) and Charlie Chaplin (Jake Black) add both comedy and drama as the story builds up in the second act.
Movie reviewer Lolly Parsons (Rosie Wallace) cracked up the audience by sneaking around the set and bearing witness to the most scandalous moments, especially in the second act.
Jake Black captures the duality of his character, Charlie Chaplin displaying public charm masking private desperation.
He brings a magnetic blend of humour and vulnerability, while Holly Cooke who plays Marion Davies balances innocence with a knowing edge, which she often forced to keep to herself in high stake moments of the play.
The set itself is cleverly minimal, evoking the luxury of a yacht without overwhelming the small space and allowing practical set modifications.
The costumes were also a standout for me: elegant, era-appropriate, and reflective of each character’s personality.
This production of The Cat’s Meow is a stylish, tightly crafted piece of theatre that blends intrigue, humour, and tragedy with impressive finesse.
Despite some performances falling shorter than others, and blackouts between scenes slightly slowing down the fast-paced plot, it remains the kind of show that leaves you chatting about the characters long after the curtain call.
