Extremities

Synopsis

Today is a day like any other. Nothing new is planned for Marjorie’s morning other than clearing away the breakfast plates left by housemates Terry & Patricia & easing her way into the afternoon, until this summer’s morning brings two unwelcome visitors: the first, a wasp, stings Marjorie but escapes, the second, Raul, a stranger & serial rapist does not. This time he has met his match. The housemates return to find the tables turned and Marjorie in control of Raul but not quite of herself. Who will their loyalties lie with? Who is the victim now? And whom will they believe? Raul calculatedly plays on their fears, doubts and judgement and unleashes a contagion of hatred with Marjorie at its centre battling to maintain a balance between her animal nature and her humanity.

Our Review:

26 May 2003

In the intensely voyeuristic confines of a tiny pub theatre, the opening scene of William Mastrosimone's Extremities has a sickening ferocity that simultaneously compels and repels.

Marjorie's quiet evening in, dancing by herself in the front room, is suddenly invaded, first by a wasp sting - and then by the arrival of a stranger who bursts in claiming he is looking for someone called Joe. But as the scene quickly escalates, it turns out he's a would-be rapist, and as his nasty verbal and physical attack is played out just inches from where we're sitting, it's very difficult to avoid looking - but you don't want to watch it, either.

There's an immediacy and sheer horror to this scene that Glenn Fraser's fierce and finely played production catches gruesomely well. And then, as the victim fights back and the hunter turns hunted, the tensions escalate dramatically further. As Marjorie trusses the attacker up and hurls him into the fireplace, throws b...

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