REVIEW: PIMMS AND PIETY by Samuel Goldfinch at Etcetera Theatre 9 - 13 November 2023

‘Nicole’s dilemma is not only one girl’s question, but perhaps the question of our Age’ ★★★ ½

University life can be a time of self-discovery and reflection, in between classes, exams, and parties. This time of growth can bring both new opportunities as well as self-doubt. In Pimms and Piety, Nicole (Lauren Koster) is a young orthodox Jewish girl who is finding herself and balancing her beliefs with the world she has found herself in, both in her home with her long-time friend, Georgia (Georgia McKnight), and university life.

Nicole is a ‘shomer negiah’, which means she doesn’t touch any man who is not related to her. We learn this immediately, as Charlie (Samuel Goldfinch, playwright), an NJ (non-Jew) arrives and it becomes apparent he has arrived as an interloper to a very exclusive party. This, of course, provides us the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Orthodoxy and lifestyle of these two women, and their friends. The family room has polaroids hanging on a line, next to the washing, a small table, and a two-seater sofa on the side, and a sign on the fireplace, exclaiming, “Don’t Touch”. Charlie challenges both the premise of the sign (supposedly to keep out burglars) and the aspects of this lack of physical touch in Nicole’s rigorous beliefs.

The real entertainment begins as the small student house is filled with people, all individually bring their own texture to the evening. A crew of three young men come from the Jewish FND (Friday night dinner) arrive, including Georgia’s live-in boyfriend Jamie, Theo who is quite smitten by Nicole and Matty who is most interested in himself. This is when the dialogue really lifts and feels very recognizable as the kinds of conversations one had as students; about everything and nothing, until the drinking game that leads to the end of the fun.

Jess (Ruby Hewitt) and Tess (Jessica Garton) arrive on the trio’s heels, full of giggles and short on clothing, and bring their own surprises, though their purpose in the story is a bit unclear. There were other questions I had in trying to figure out Nicole and Georgia’s individual motivations. It often felt as if Georgia’s relationship with Nicole is domineering and infantilising, to the point of hysteria, though it had moments of softness and concern. Meanwhile, Nicole is trying to figure out her own desires and even how to be self-actualized and independent. This is the heart of the play and leaves a viewer with some things to ponder, even if there are awkward moments in the storyline.

The young cast is superb and when they are together, filling out the available space on stage, it feels like we are all genuinely at this party with them. Pimms & Piety is thoughtfully named, for the boozy evening that it is but also the question of being pious, or religious, or holding to any belief system in these modern times. Nicole’s dilemma is not only one girl’s question, but perhaps the question of our Age. The packed audience at this show clearly evidences that these questions speak to many of us.

PIMMS AND PIETY

Written by Samuel Goldfinch

http://goldfinchtheatre.com/

Performed by Jessica Garton, Ruby Hewitt, Lauren Koster, Georgia McKnight, Francesco Pellicio, Gregor Roach, Ted Walker

Directed by Holly Stevens

Reviewed by Mariam Mathew