Female bonding in Wilbury’s ‘Di and Viv and Rose’

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By Theatre Review

By DON FOWLER

British writer Amelia Bullmore’s “Di and Viv and Rose,” running in repertory with “Straight White Men” at Wilbury Theatre, has some similar themes about bonding and keeping in touch as three characters go their separate ways.

“Straight White Men” is, obviously, about three straight white men, while “Di and Viv and Rose” is about three very different women. One might assume that the first play will appeal more to men, and the second a “woman’s play.” While I like “Men” better than my wife, and she like “Di and Viv and Rose better, I won’t make that assumption.

Bullmore’s plot has three young college students sharing a house while leading their own lives, slowly bonding, and in the second act going their separate ways, while finding reasons to reconnect over a span of 20 years.

Rae Mancini is Di, a sports nut and a lesbian. Milly Massey is Viv, a serious sociology student with strong opinions. Melissa Renick is Rose, a happy-go-lucky, promiscuous young lady. Together they slowly bond, sharing as much of themselves as they care to, from happy to tragic events in their past and present lives.

As the first act draws to a close, a tragic event has happened to one, and an unexpected event to the other. In Act Two, the three women have moved on with their lives. Di has moved back home to “fish and chips on Friday and not being a lesbian.” Viv has gone on to a career in New York City. (The original play took place in England). Rose is living with a man and raising a couple of kids.

They meet each other a few times, reconnecting their divergent lives, sharing regrets and suppressed feelings, and at times still seeking each other’s approval.

There are a few awkward moments between and among the characters as they hold on to the time they spent together, leading to a final scene that brought their relationships full circle.

Director Kate Kataja handles the scene changes smoothly, using the same stage setting as the other play, with a few prop adjustments. She gives her three actors leeway in developing their characters, which they all do very well.

The two plays, shown in repertory (“Straight White Men” reviewed last week), both deserve our attention. They continue through December 23. Wilbury, at 393 Broad St. in Providence, can be reached at 400-7100 or online at www.thewilburygroup.org.

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