WARNING FOR THE FAINT-OF-HEART
This review has a rude word in it. The children, think of the children!
A PLAY with a name that’s stronger than the brew it derides—be warned, we spell it out in full in the next paragraph—is showing now at the Mary Street Bakery on Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley.
Fuck Decaf is a metaphor for relationships, love and addiction and, since it’s set in a cafe, it seemed logical to perform it in a real cafe, says director Scott Corbett from independent theatre company The Cutting Room Floor.
“Why try and turn a big space into a cafe,” he says, adding Mary St is “nice and intimate”.
Love is a lot like a caffeine, or any other, addiction, Corbett says: “We don’t see it as an addiction, but it is.”
The play was written by Mount Lawley drama teacher Tyler Jacob Jones, winner of two Artrage Theatre Awards and this year’s Martin Sims Award.
“We came up with the concept and brought him onboard to write it,” Corbett says.
The play follows friends Kate and Ruby who’ve been meeting on and off for coffee at the same cafe for 10 years. Only this time things get rather messy.
“They get into a heated argument and end up throwing coffee and cake,” Corbett says.
Kate is a party animal who enjoys long blacks and sexual conquests, while Ruby is a serial relationships jumper with a cappuccino in hand and a Disney-inspired view of romance.
“Love is a lot like a caffeine, or any other, addiction…”
Shattered china, coffee shots and a desperately cute waiter ensure steam hits the froth, Corbett says.
“As different as they may be, the pair of best friends come to realise that they share a desperate and controlling addiction—love.”
The issues underlying the comedy are serious as the women try to work out how comfortable they are with their lives, he adds.
The Cutting Room Floor came out of a brainstorming session while still at Edith Cowan University, Corbett says.
“We had success and have not stopped.”
It’s dedicated to producing vibrant, exciting new works for an Australian audience, and supporting local talent.
Most of the plays are unscripted, coming out of brainstorming sessions with cast and crew.
“They change ever time we redevelop. It’s a trust process that makes it more organic,” Corbett says.
Intimate and different theatre is part of TCRF’s mantra, including the play Home Open, performed in a house, with 50 to 60 audience members moving from room to room: “It was an intimate cosy experience. A house party with theatre,” Corbett says.
Fuck Decaf is on at the Mary Street Cafe, 507 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley Wednesday to Saturday 8pm until June 14 (but not June 5). Tix $20 at trybooking.com
by JENNY D’ANGER
Perth Voice Interactive 
Leave a comment