Review: HONOUR, Park Theatre

Joanna Murray-Smith's play Honour has enjoyed a run on Broadway and was first staged at The National Theatre in 2003 before it was revived again in 2006 at the Wyndham's Theatre. The latest production is staged at the Park Theatre's larger 200 capacity venue.

Imogen Stubbs plays Honour, the wife of renowned journalist George Spencer (Henry Goodman). She has spent most of her life putting her career as a writer on hold in order for him to shine in his field. She has played the role of doting wife and mother to their only daughter Sophie (Natalie Simpson). She is therefore stunned when George suddenly announces he's leaving her after 32 years of marriage.

While she's willing to accept that their lives had grown familiar and comfortable after such a long period together, George deals another blow by revealing he's fallen in love with fresh-faced and ambitious young writer Claudia (Katie Brayben). When Honour accuses him of having a late mid-life crisis, pointing out that Claudia is half his age, he argues that Claudia's startling intellect and clarity about her prospects in life excite him and he's decided to follow wherever passion leads him.

The themes featured in the play, particularly women sacrificing their careers for their families, are still extremely relevant, even though it's been over 20 years since the play received its Australian premiere. It brings into question what our individual perceptions are of love - even when George leaves his wife, he tells her he still loves her but in a different kind of way, a way that he can't put into words. Similarly Honour questions the love she has for her husband. As they've been together for over 32 years, is it just the memories and the times they shared together that kept them married for so long?

The play is performed in-the-round, giving it a more intimate feel. The cast are outstanding; Goodman shines as silver-tongued George while Stubbs is superb as his devoted wife, left completely devastated by her husband's betrayal her words turn into punches. With each blow she delivers, the audience wills her on, desperate for her to live the life she deserves.

Following Brayben's critically acclaimed run in Beautiful, her calculating Claudia is fascinating to watch, aware of her own sexual prowess she's determined to stop at nothing to get what she wants out of life, tearing through Honour's life in a matter of days. Simpson as the couple's daughter Sophie is also extremely impressive as the only life she's known is shattered and one scene in particular where she confronts Claudia is heart breaking.

The problem with Paul Robinson's production is that there are very few scenes where the audience feels any emotion for the characters, which leaves it feeling very flat.

Honour at Park Theatre until 24 November

Photo Credit: Alex Brenner