“That’s how it is on this bitch of an earth.”

Directed by Simona Mazza and showcasing two wonderfully comic performers, Rachael Neary and Maude Sandham, Actress & Girl finds new comedy in the “play within a play” genre and gives us a tragicomic story about a failed and destitute actress, Sandra, who is doted on by Girl.

Girl is devoted to Sandra. Sandra is devoted to herself. They are in a strange place on the side of the road with great plans of getting to Port Elizabeth.

How have they each landed up here? Who are these people? Why are they stuck where they are? What’s the point of their lives? Ah, existentialism my old friend…

Waiting For Godot is Sandra’s “favourite play”. Fitting. The somewhat absurd tale of isolation the pair of women are trapped within, echoes Beckett’s famously existential work. They pass their days rehearsing, with hilarious results, scenes from “Sammy’s” Waiting for Godot, and from “William’s” Othello. Sandra clings to the past when she was once to audition for the role of Desdemona… but unfortunate circumstances got in the way. Daily, she is consumed with this wrongdoing that she strives to correct.

Time fluctuates. Each day begins and ends with the same rituals, rehearsing daily routines and prayers at night – the pattern of life? Girl asks Sandra: “How long have you been here?” Time’s march everlasting. Will either of them make it somewhere else? Habit for one passing the time is purpose-giving experiences for the other.

With tongue-in-cheek-overdramatic antics, Neary and Sandham are funny. But there’s an ever present undercutting of the comic with a bitter bite of tragedy… where human nature rears its ugly head.

In their renditions of Othello, its overarching theme of betrayal seeps into Girl and Sandra’s relationship. How far will desperation push you? What lengths will you go to, to avoid loneliness? And what does it all matter in the end?

These young actresses are superb talents and bring to the stage a woeful story performed with marvellous comic skill. Hitch a ride and get there.

– Sarah Roberson

Click here for production info. Actress & Girl is on tomorrow 05 July @ 14.00 @ Masonic Front.