Room to Move

From the press release:

"Room to Move is a Comedy of Melbourne Manners; a social romp through the mores of Camberwell and Fitzroy, and an hilarious look at changing sex roles - through male eyes.

"Our cultural expectations of what it means to be female have changed drastically in the last thirty years. But what about the men? Have they changed too? Are they threatened by changing sex roles? Is feminism a four letter word?

"These are questions which Hannie Rayson set out to explore. She spent many months researching, talking to men both individually and in groups about their relationships, problems, expectations and aspirations...

"Stricken by loneliness after the death of her life-long partner, Peggy advertises for a tenant. In moves Bernie, a thirty year old 'feminist gentleman' complete with books, bills, records, and dope plants. Everyone flips. Not that there is anything unusual about flat-sharing nowadays - except that Peggy is 'in her fifties' at 62.

"Peggy's entire family - siblings, de factos, [and] daughters-in-law are variously askance, surprised, relieved - not to mention intrigued. Nor can any of them help becoming involved in an intricate web of relationships." 

This production had a return season at Fitzroy's Universal Theatre (opened 13 September).