In Joh Hartog’s Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God, two couples who know each other from medical school reunite at a dinner party after not seeing each other for six years. As the night goes on, cracks begin to appear within the group as secrets are revealed and unpopular opinions are brought to the fore.

Set at the home of Frank (David Hirst) and Liz (Lucy Markiewicz), this couple are living the traditional Western family life. They own their home (with a garage) and are raising their young daughter. Dinner guests Martin (Brendan Cooney) and Carol (Krystal Brock) have spent the past six years in a remote African community where they looked after a young African girl.

Throughout the play, the characters segue into mini monologues which break away from the action of the dinner party and give you insight into their thoughts and feelings during the events of the evening. The non-linear narrative is superbly acted by all cast members. Hirst’s Frank provided much needed humour to break through the intentionally uncomfortable moments and awkward breakdowns in communication between the two pairs. Markiewicz plays the ignorant housewife to a tee with Liz’s oblivious attitude to the reality of African life, over the top platitudes and focus on the dinner a high priority.

Brock is brilliant as a woman who has suffered trauma but is trying her best to keep it under wraps and Cooney’s Martin gives a relatable performance as the partner who doesn’t want to be there.

Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God show the dysfunction between the Western world and third world countries and poses moral questions. The lack of closure on the conflicts raised during the play will leave you thinking for hours after curtain call.

Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God can be seen at the Bakehouse Theatre until June 15, 2019. Get your tickets here.