”˜’The Spoils” arrives in Sydney
By Neeru Saluja
A slice of New York has arrived in Sydney with the play ”˜The Spoils’ by Academy Award winning American actor and playwright Jesse Eisenberg.
Making it’s Australian debut at the Flight Path Theatre, the cutting comedy is directed by Ian Warwick and boasts of a stellar cast comprising actors Michael Becker, Haydan Hawkins, Isabel Dickson, Kabir Singh and Rebecca Abdel-Messih.
Set in an intimate setting, the audience soon gets engrossed in the lives of four young characters. Ben (played by Michael Becker), an aspiring film director shares his New York apartment with Kalyan, a Nepalese business student (Kabir Singh). Though they are roomies and support each other, their lives contrast as Ben is a failed filmmaker living off his parents while Kalyan has left his home to make it big in New York.
Soon Ben learns that his former school crush Sarah (Isabel Dickson) is engaged to marry a Wall Street square banker Ted (Hayden Hawkins). He is all set to sabotage their relationship and wants to win her back. While on the other hand, Kalyan wants to impress Ted so he can pursue his dream.
Throughout the play, it is apparent that Kalyan’s Indian-American girlfriend Reshma (Rebecca Abdel-Messih) disapproves of their friendship and dislikes Ben. This dislike resonates with the audience as his character remains self-absorbed, neurotic, sexist and racist. His remarkable acting makes you hate him for his abusive and foul mouthing nature, but also evokes sympathy for his sad plight.
Kalyan, on the other hand is the most likeable character for his simplicity and ever smiling face. He depicts the harsh reality of an immigrant trying to make it big overseas. Though he often faces racist remarks from his roommate, he takes it with a smile for the sake of his friendship.
“Kalyan wasn’t written as a funny character, but I felt like it needed humour due to the casual racism. I created this laugh for Kalyan that is goofy and innocent. I often ate at a local Nepalese restaurant to learn the accent as though it is close to Indian accent, their English is better pronounced. I was always talking with a smile and respect to build the mannerisms of Kalyan. Though Kalyan is often verbally attacked by the strong opinionated Ben, he comes around in the end to stand up for himself,” says actor Kabir Singh who stood out for his commendable performance.
Though this play is based in New York, the script is universal and shows how the powerful stays powerful and the advantaged taking advantage of the disadvantage. It also sheds light on the struggles and journey of an immigrant, who have nothing but aspire to achieve their dreams. This is in comparison with those that have everything but have no gratitude towards it.
“The Spoils” is a must watch for theatre lovers who are keen to watch a thought-provoking play. Tickets are on sale till 8 February at https://www.flightpaththeatre.org/whats-on/the-spoils-by-jesse-eisenberg
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