Venue: Ensemble Theatre (Kirribilli NSW), Jul 28 – Sep 2, 2023
Playwright: Debra Oswald
Director: Damien Ryan
Cast: John Gaden AO, Rachel Gordon, Albert Mwangi, Claudia Ware
Images by Prudence Upton
Theatre review
Therese is in no position to wait for a better job, so she takes on the challenge of caring for Leo, an artist of great renown who has no redeeming features, except for his exceptional paintings. Debra Oswald’s Mr Bailey’s Minder is about salvation, even for the worst of us. It is a wonderful sentiment, that all of us should deserve hope, but even though there is a lot of truth in the old saying, ‘let them who are without sin cast the first stone,’ to forgive Leo and endear to him, is perhaps too much to ask of some audiences.
Like his daughter Margo, we find it mostly an absurd idea, to indulge in the fantasy that a man with decades of transgressions, should be essentially good and therefore worthy of love in his twilight years. The complete predictability of the plot, along with the lacklustre dialogue, makes for a play that feels even more passé than its two-decade age might suggest. Certainly its intentions are wholesome and pure, and this staging by director Damien Ryan reflects those very decent virtues appropriately. The show feels spirited, almost charming at times, and it is unsurprising that some might be led to find it a meaningful story to invest in.
Abstract elements of Soham Apte’s set design are charmingly considered, although its colour palette could benefit from a little restraint. Apte’s work on costuming is more effective, rendered with a detailed eye to help us achieve an understanding of characters from first glance. Lights by Morgan Moroney are remarkable for subtle and astute calibrations that ease us through constant vacillations between comedy and drama. Sound design by Daryl Wallis is minimal but realistic, with occasional interlude music offering a hint of elegance.
Actor John Gaden is extremely likeable as Leo Bailey and, therefore, elicits conflicting feelings about a man who has ostensibly done a lot of harm throughout his lifetime. Gaden’s palpable chemistry with each member of cast, makes everything magically palatable. Playing Therese is Claudia Ware whose warm exuberance compels us to persist with the tale. Albert Mwangi too is charismatic in dual roles, captivating whether as the deviant Gavin or the delightful Karl. As Margo, Rachel Gordon’s humour is a highlight, enjoyable enough for us to excuse her inability to make convincing her character’s eventual change of heart, regarding the contemptible patriarch.
Forgiveness is the most honourable quality one can learn to cultivate, but is admittedly difficult to engender with erstwhile offenses, and nigh on impossible to instil when wrongdoings are ongoing and recurrent. In Mr Bailey’s Minder one could detect a real need for grace, and that impulse is prudent and true. Also true, is that we need to see evil for what it is, and find ways to recognise that confronting discord, and not fall into delusions to make absolution easier. Furthermore in our art, benevolence should perhaps play a subordinate role, to chastising those who deserve it. Leo may be a great artist, but he is also a horrible man, and choosing to forget the inconvenient half, is unconscionable.
Suzy Goes See 