Brisbane review - Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica: a must see.

By David Wilson

Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica

Writer David Williamson AO

Director Mark Klimurry

Designer Veronique Bennett

Lighting Designer Ben Hughes

Composer and Sound Designer Daryl Wallis

Presented by Queensland Theatre

Season runs until 21 June 2025 at Billie Brown Theatre

Tickets can be purchased now - 35 and under from $35, Concession/group from $68 and adult from $70 https://queenslandtheatre.com.au/plays/rhinestone-rex-and-miss-monica

Photo by Jade Ellis

Queensland Theatre has done it again with an outstanding refresh of this wonderfully penned David Williamson contemporary classic, 15 years after its original production at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre with the same cast!

On the surface, Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica is a local turn on the familiar ‘opposites attract’ set up, but in reality this production delivers so much more. This fast-paced two-hander delivers on all fronts, with slick dialogue, identifiable characters, excellent performances, a brilliant set and a killer soundtrack! The result - an engaged and wildly appreciative opening night audience rewarding all concerned with an enthusiastic standing ovation.

Odd couples don’t get much odder than Gary and Monica. Gary is a glib former country and western singer of dubious popularity who is now a tradie (architectural consultant if you please!), moonlighting as DJ Rhinestone Rex on the radio. Monica is a highly-strung, red wine loving former classical violinist who hires Gary to renovate her kitchen after she is forced into retirement from the Symphony Orchestra due to shoulder tendonitis. Via multiple scenes throughout the kitchen renovation, each character reveals more and more of themselves to the other, and the audience, with heartfelt and hilarious consequences. The more they reveal, the less they seem to have in common, save perhaps for being middle aged and alone. However they each share a love of music - different music to be sure - but that love of music forms the centre point around which the play, and their relationship, develops.

The perfectly simple set focussed the audiences attention squarely on the characters, with the bluetooth speaker and radio given prominence, centering the characters ongoing, passionate debate about the merits of classical music versus country and western. The use of the radio was particularly brilliant - it was as though the radio itself was a third character with which Monica and Gary would interact in the most pivotal of moments. Very clever indeed.

Georgie Parker and Glenn Hazeldine are both individually excellent, together absolutely outstanding. Parker wonderfully captures the uptight, on-edge Monica, and balances her beautifully with passion, fierceness and tenderness in equal measure. Hazeldine was effortless as Gary, the knockabout loveable larrikin, perfectly balancing the characters tenuous relationship with the truth with hopeful, genuine moments. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, and their dramatic and comedic timing brilliant. Cleverly, the audience could identify equally with each character, even seeing something of themselves in both, meaning that sympathies did not lie with one at the expense of the other, fuelling the audience’s desire for a happy ending for them both.

These performers are at the peak of their powers and provide reason alone to see this wonderful show. When coupled with  a work of this quality and a production team of this calibre, this really is a must see.