Dark character study of ‘Pervert Laura’

Arts writer

THE Pervert Laura, a dark psycho-drama written and directed by the award-winning playwright Louis Viljoen ( Champ, The Frontiersmen, The Kingmakers) will transfer to The Fugard Studio Theatre in May after an acclaimed debut at the historical Little Theatre in December.

The production, which received rave reviews after its premiere season, stars Emily Child ( King Lear, Champ, Don't Dress for Dinner, A Certain Lady) as Laura, with a powerhouse supporting cast of Terry Norton ( Othello, Equus, A Doll's House, Rainbow Scars), Nicholas Pauling ( Amadeus, Champ, The Frontiersmen), Guy de Lancey ( Cosi, The Birdwatchers, Endgame) and newcomer Sarah Potter ( Four Small Gods, The Lover, Ebola). Child, Norton, Pauling and de Lancey are all past Fleur du Cap Theatre Award nominees and winners.

The production follows 30 year old Laura through a week in her life.

In conversations with her therapist, an attempt at an affair in a seedy hotel room, and through arguments with her family, Laura reveals herself to be a woman on the road to self-annihilation. As secrets are unearthed and accusations are made and relationships are shattered, the true source of Laura's decision to veer from the path society chose for her becomes clear.

The play is an uncomfortable journey into the dark heart of a woman's past, and what awaits her in the darkness is more monstrous than she could have imagined. It is a character study of a woman disassembling her life that becomes a horrific odyssey as the story unfolds.

l From May 6 to 23, 021 461 4554, www.computicket.com. No under 18’s.