Pharmaceutical tycoon Arthur Wolfe (Amir Wilson) has been away on business for four months, and his nearest and dearest are set to welcome him home with a dinner party full of wine and reminiscing. Steering the evening is Emily Wolfe (Eliose Webb), his wife, playing the perfect host with a Korean seabass dinner and a twisted game of ‘Who Am I?’ Much to her dismay, first through the door is her silk-trouser donned sister Hannah (Claudia Pope), followed quickly by her boyfriend Rob (Joe Kelly), who is also Arthur’s business partner. Last to the function is self-proclaimed feminist and philanthropist Freddie (Jack Symonds). The much-anticipated guest of honour, Arthur himself, is yet to arrive.
When each dinner guest inevitably slips away to check on the food, go to the toilet, or make a call, private conversations begin between different combinations of guests, causing the room’s dynamics to shift entirely. Secrets slip out and the past rises to the surface, including from “uni friend” Jesse (Jake Butterworth). It’s these snippets that make the play’s storyline so clever, as the audience begins to learn that nothing is what it seems and can start to piece together what is really going on. The juggling act of character pairings would not have been so effective if it weren’t for the cast’s strong chemistry, portraying the complex emotion between old friends, sisters, or partners. The cast’s acting overall is truly exemplary, showcasing tremendous skill with their multi-faceted and emotive dinner guests.
While Dinner With the Wolves’ storyline is inventive on its own, its writing allows it to flourish and evolve. Big topics of masculinity and morality are not shied away from, boldly discussed and portrayed throughout, having a lasting impact long after you have left the dinner table. Gentler moments of humour and raw emotion compliment the themes to make for a very realistic script that you can imagine playing out in any privileged London household.
A unique piece of theatre — I urge you to RSVP a yes, pull up a chair, and enjoy a night like no other.
Dinner With the Wolves is running until August 22 (excluding 16th) at Jade Studio at Greenside @ George Street. Buy tickets here.
Image by Karolina Webb/ Joel Hutton, provided to The Student as press material.
