The Rover

The latest from Belvoir St Theatre's 2017 season is The Rover, a glorious, hilarious 17th century tale of the escapades of young men and women that rings as true today as in its time.

Director Eamon Flack and the impeccable cast deliver a memorable evening of deliciously sharp, witty humour, that is absolutely worth fitting into your jam-packed Sydney arts schedule.

The Rover's creator is Aphra Behn, the first professional female playwright, and a writer who certainly did not shy away from a good story, some pointed laughs, and some reasonably explicit content. In Behn's words, "All I ask is the privilege for my masculine part, the poet, to tread in those successful paths my [male] predecessors have so long thrived in". And it is Behn's thoughts that open the evening, placing the play and her ambitions in context of the time in which she wrote, and serving a timely reminder of the ongoing truth of her words.

Beyond this introduction, The Rover takes us to 17th century Naples at Carnival time, where young men are on the prowl and young women are exploring new character roles under the safety of disguise. It is, as Flack describes, "a sexy, dangerous play". The delightful cast take viewers on an enchanting, whirlwind ride through Carnival frivolity, packing in the laughs and all round having a excellently fun time. That is another delight of this production - how much the ensemble seem to be enjoying bringing it to life.

There is a wonderful self-awareness to Flack's take on Behn's work, with witty side-notes and offhand remarks in such perfect places as to keep the belly laughs rolling.

It is a strong, tight, faultless ensemble whose talents are celebrated and whose humour is infectious.

Female characters shine, and the talented cast bring to life a multitude of different female roles that Behn has penned into her work. She manages to convey the limits and yet also the limitlessness of what it is to be defined as a woman, through the broad range of female leads with their wide-reaching agency, some of which may only be explored from behind the temporary disguise of a carnival mask.

Convincing Spanish and Italian accents add to the setting as much as to the humour, as does some classic British pomp and well placed Ocker twang. 

Belvoir's versatile cast bring great energy and vibrance to this raucous three hours of theatrical entertainment; The Rover is highly applauded and recommended.

The Rover plays Upstairs at Belvoir St Theatre Tue - Sun until August 6th. 

Tickets and information available here. Production photos by Anna Kucera.