Review by Markus Hamence – Performance date: Tuesday 11 February 2025, Adelaide Festival Centre, SA
A Satirical Knockout at the Dunstan Playhouse
Politics is a messy business, and Housework, the latest play by South Australian playwright Emily Steel, scrubs away the polish to reveal the grimy reality beneath. It just last night started it’s run at the Dunstan Playhouse as part of the Adelaide Festival Centre lineup, this whip-smart black comedy slices through the idealism, ambition, and absurdity of life inside a federal electorate office. It’s a sharp, hilarious dive into political chaos by State Theatre Company South Australia who have served up their first gem for the year…
The Plot: When Politics Gets Personal
At the heart of Housework is Kelly Sheppard (a wonderfully earnest performance by newcomer Franca Lafosse), a junior staffer with big dreams and a dangerously high tolerance for caffeine. When she’s whisked off to Canberra alongside her boss, first-term MP Ruth Mandour (played to perfection by the ever-brilliant Susie Youssef), and the razor-sharp Chief of Staff, Anna Cooper (Emily Taheny in a powerhouse performance), she soon learns that democracy isn’t so much about serving the people—it’s about survival.
Steel’s script doesn’t hold back as it throws Kelly into the political deep end. Between media blunders, policy nightmares, and the relentless demands of a public that expects everything, Housework paints a painfully realistic picture of the chaos behind closed doors.
Sharp Writing and Killer Performances
Emily Steel’s writing is as sharp as a Senate Estimates grilling, blending rapid-fire dialogue with biting humor. The play’s pacing is relentless – one minute you’re laughing at an absurd press conference gaffe, the next you’re holding your breath as backroom deals unfold.
Youssef’s Ruth is a fascinating mix of conviction and uncertainty, capturing the tightrope walk of modern politics. Taheny’s Anna, meanwhile, is a masterclass in control – she’s the fixer, the enforcer, and the person you’d least want to disappoint. But it’s Lafosse’s Kelly who truly shines, embodying the disillusionment of a generation that enters politics with big dreams, only to find themselves drowning in bureaucracy.
Renato Musolino (As the minister), Benn Welford (Media Advisor) and Sunitra Martinelli (Cleaner and Prime Minister) excel in supporting the main cast.
The brilliantly written characters with spot-on casting were played to perfection the outstanding talent.
Direction and Staging: Political Theatre at Its Best
Director Shannon Rush keeps the energy high and the tension taut, making full use of the Dunstan Playhouse’s intimate stage. The set design – sleek yet sterile – mirrors the impersonal nature of political life, where appearances matter more than substance. Clever use of lighting and sound helps transition seamlessly between the electorate office and the brutal halls of Parliament House, immersing the audience in the high-stakes world of political maneuvering.
Verdict: A Must-See for Political Tragic and Comedy Lovers Alike
Housework is a triumph – smart, funny, and uncomfortably real. It’s a show that will have you cackling one moment and questioning the entire political system the next. For anyone who’s ever yelled at Question Time or wondered what really goes on in those taxpayer-funded offices, this play is a must-watch.
A hilarious and scathing look at power, ambition, and the realities of modern politics. Don’t miss it!
