Theatre in Preview

Have you ever been faced with a complex conundrum where every option seems feasible… or terribly wrong?

In ‘Secret Bridesmaids Business’ (SBB), the characters are dealing with a huge dilemma at the same time as dealing with a huge bridesmaid’s dress. The latest production at Metro Arts is so full of obstacles and moral roadblocks that you’re not even sure the bride makes it down the aisle in the end.

Louise Brehmer, who plays one of the two bridesmaids in this play, races through a rundown of the story, “It’s a really funny play. Basically the story is that it’s the night before Meg’s wedding. So she’s in a fancy hotel suite with her mother and her two bridesmaids, doing that whole girly ritual of spending the last night together then getting ready for the big day.” Pointing out where the dilemmas begin, she adds,  “One of the bridesmaids arrive with some really delicate information about the groom and she doesn’t know whether it’s true or not. So she and the other bridesmaid have this problem which boils down to, ‘should we tell the bride or not?’ Then the questions arise, ‘what happens if we say something? What happens if we don’t?’”

The play, written by Elizabeth Coleman and presented by Mixed Company Theatre of Comedy, is a comedic riot, with characters running the gauntlet of emotions with hysterical consequences. Louise agrees, adding, “But what is so lovely about the way that it is written is that despite how funny it is, there is still a lot of truth to it. It’s the sort of play that even people that don’t go to the theatre could go along and have a good night and identify with the characters.”

“I play one of the bridesmaids – the one that says to let it all go and let the couple sort it out. The beauty of this play is that it draws you in and audiences will end up either siding with one bridesmaid or the other.”

Louise is loving the role and relishes the chance to have a crack at comedy. “The last few roles that I’ve done have been dramatic and serious and I was looking for a change. It’s always fun finding out what makes a particular character tick and then trying to make that realistic to the audience even if its not familiar to me.”

‘Secret Bridesmaids Business’ will be staged at the Visy Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse from July 13-23.