In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play): Review
- Ashlyn Hunter
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The buzz of an opening night always brings a vibrance and electricity to the air, and there was no exception for New Theatres’s revisiting of Sarah Ruhl’s, IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY. A hilarious telling of post-Civil War America and the “diagnosis” of hysteria in women through, well - vibrations.
We are brought into the home of lonely and frustrated Mrs Givings (played by Sarah Greenwood), who is intrigued by the mysterious electronic machinery being used to treat her husband’s patients in his clinical room next door. A treatment that creates paroxysms in these women - and for those of you who don’t know what a paroxysm is (like me when I first heard it). To put it simply, it’s a big old-fashioned orgasm.
From start to finish, the audience was overcome with laughter. The actors' comedic timing was impeccable, and their characters were so well-rounded that it created a natural and enjoyable flow. Sarah Greenwood is just fantastic in her role as Mrs Givings; her quirky and unfiltered character brought light to the stage every time she spoke. Not only was her performance a stand-out, but Greenwood and Lisa Kelly’s blossoming dynamic was a real highlight for me. The chemistry matched each other perfectly on stage and I commend the creative team, especially Sonya Kerr's guidance in intimacy coordination, for fostering this connection.
An incredible note to this play was the stage design. For such a large space as the New Theatre it can be easy for the actors to get swallowed by its vastness. Set Designer Tom Bannerman did a terrific job at designing. The set with adorned with intimate lamp lighting for a particularly warm and emotional effect. This was particularly poignant because this is not just a story of a hysteria diagnosis and orgasms. This is also a story of love and intimacy in all of their real-life messiness. Love in so many forms: forbidden, requited and familial. Bannerman’s design allowed the audience to feel this depth of Sarah Ruhl's text and it shaped the delivery of the play with excellence.
At the crux of it, although a hilarious and profound play, IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY sheds light on the serious topic of women’s place in a male-governed society. Although we are transported back to the late 1800s for the plot, it’s radical how this play can still hold a true message about the disregard and isolation of women in society today. Although we have indeed come a long way, this play is a mark that we still have a fair way to go.
I would highly recommend grabbing a ticket to the show if you haven’t already!
In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) plays at New Theatre until the 17th May.
