Privilege with a price in biting satire

Theatre: Admissions
Reviewer: Danny Gocs
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

WHEN New York playwright Joshua Harmon’s controversial Bad Jews – set around cousins who squabble over a family heirloom belonging to their recently deceased Holocaust survivor grandfather – had its Australian premiere in Melbourne in 2015, it was directed by Gary Abrahams and showcased Harmon’s talent for comic writing.

Abrahams is again directing a Harmon play, Admissions (written in 2018) that is being staged by Melbourne Theatre Company at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner.

Harmon’s trademark one-liners and acerbic writing shine through, and while Jewish references are limited – in one scene there’s a Nazi salute – the theme of parents wanting to give their children the best possible education, even if it means enlisting the help of influential friends and modifying their principles, is easily relatable.

The cast is led by Kat Stewart, who has starred on stage and screen and is well-known for her TV series Offspring and Underbelly; William McKenna who recently played Scorpius Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child; Simon Maiden with extensive film, TV and stage credits including Come From Away; and Jewish actor Deidre Rubenstein whose stage career includes MTC’s Ladies in Black and North by Northwest, and her solo shows What’s a Girl to Do and Confidentially Yours.

Stewart stars as Sherri Rosen-Mason, the head of the admissions department at an American private school. Her husband Bill (Maiden) is the principal and over many years they have strived to diversify the student body at the elite New Hampshire school, but it still overwhelmingly caters for the privileged white population.

Their son Charlie (McKenna) is an intelligent, outgoing student who has set his sights on attending Yale, with the enthusiastic support of his parents.

However, when Charlie and his best friend Perry, a Black student, learn the results of their Yale applications, the drama ramps up for them and their families as uncomfortable home truths are revealed.

The action in Admissions is split between Sherri’s office and the family’s home, with impressive sets by designer Jacob Battista on a revolving stage ensuring a seamless transition.

Rubenstein plays Roberta, an assistant in the admissions department, whose clashes with Sherri over a school marketing brochure allow her to show off her acting brilliance.

McKenna brings energy and passion to the role, and a monologue delivered at breakneck speed is one of the highlights.

All the characters in Admissions are strongly opinionated, but cleverly draw on biting satire throughout.

Melbourne Theatre Company’s Admissions opened on March 10 at the Southbank Theatre, The Sumner and runs until April 9. Bookings: mtc.com.au