Reasons To Be Pretty

Greg’s tight-knit social circle is thrown into chaos when an offhand remark about a female colleagues pretty face gets back to his girlfriend. When Greg’s best friend and his wife also enter the picture, the emotional equation becomes exponentially more complicated. What comes next is an unstoppable hurricane of destruction that leaves Greg and the audience questioning, “How much is pretty worth?”

Square Peg Productions’ Reasons to be Pretty examines self-worth and how a culture’s obsession with aesthetics dictates actions, emotions and consequences. This comes out as an intense slap in the face, punctuated with comedic relief.

The cosy setting at Theatreworks means the audience becomes involved in events, with the seating arrangements often placing them in the middle of the character’s verbal stoushes.

Paul Denny, as Greg, embodies the awkward, clueless boyfriend on a journey of self discovery as he realises the true weight of a word. The accomplished actor, seen in ABC’s Lowdown and Channel 10’s Offspring, is a strong presence in a vulnerable role. Bouncing brilliantly off Greg is Kurt, played by Johnny McNamara, who brings an engaging comedic flavour to the performance including a solo dance routine, I’m not sure who choreographer just for this piece.

Reasons to Be Pretty is a very entertaining mid-week fiasco, providing plenty of pretty food for thought.

Reasons to Be Pretty is showing at Theatre Works St Kilda until June 17.
For more information and tickets visit theatreworks.org.au.