I took in the preview of Attitude Theatre‘s Switzerland on preview night. Choosing to go in for a full surprise, I didn’t read the description and had basically no idea what to expect.

The pre-show sets the mood with an eerie sound of typewriter endlessly hammering away, interspersed with interview tape, it sets a level of discomfort that perfectly suits the show.

The stage is ambitious for the Paul Phillips hall – in such a small space, creating a full home with decor and set dressing could run the risk of the space looking cluttered or like a hoarder’s home, but the decor is thoughtfully laid out, the actors can move and interact without issue. The character’s blocking allowed them to move around like two predatory animals sizing each other up, literally circling the table at one point, and somehow their movements never felt clunky or unnatural in that space.

Not knowing much of anything, the script gives you all the information you need, but without any clunky exposition. We open on Patricia Highsmith typing away, and suddenly we’re smack dab in the middle of it. Another aspect I was pleasantly surprised to find was how funny the show was. Snider’s Highsmith is so brutally quick witted opposite DeLisle’s initially awkward Ridgeway, but as we progress he manages to find his footing and the pair have really excellent back and forth.

With a two hander such as this, this isn’t your typical script for a community theatre – this is difficult to learn and could have easily fallen into droning talk without the excellent pacing and defined character intentions through the whole show. A real testament to the actors and the director!

I think for many, the connotation of community theatre is not great, a show you see because you know someone involved, but the niceties end there. I often say Victoria punches above its weight in the arts and the community arts scene is such a huge part of that ecosystem. This show is just great theatre, community or not.

The pacing of this show was excellent – lines jumping on top of one another, frantic, almost manic at times, and then, they would take a breather, and almost revel in the quiet. Every moment felt fresh and well thought out.

Gloria Snider and Ty DeLisle balance two difficult to parse characters and manage to draw us in with ease, both giving performances that run an unexpected gamut of intentions and half-truths, I want to rave more but I fear I’ll give away some plot details by mistake.

The technical and production elements of the show came together with a precision and care, combined with a crackling cast, I highly recommend taking in this twisty, dark show – it’s not a halloween show, but the creepy, dark atmosphere is certainly on theme for this time of year!

Preview Thurs, Oct 24 – 7:30

Saturday, Oct 26 – 7:30pm
Sunday, Oct 27 – 2pm/7:30pm
Thursday, Oct 31 – 7:30pm
Friday, Nov 1 – 7:30pm
Saturday, Nov 2 – 7:30pm
Sunday, Nov 3 – 2pm/7:30pm