SCENES FROM A FRIENDSHIP

By Diana Simmonds

November 12 2026

SCENES FROM A FRIENDSHIP, Outhouse Theatre Co at the Old Fitz, EXTENDED TO 28 November 2026. Photography by Richard Farland

The title of Jane Upton’s newest play is self-explanatory: following Billy Moss (Thomas Campbell) and Jess Johnson (Ainslie McGlynn) through their lives as the bestest of besties. But, as it’s set in England toward the end of the last century – with fragments of pop songs and phones, from the Telecom/Alcatel corded, through various mobiles all lighting the way – it’s also about the capital (London) and the provinces (oop North), parts of England that have never been besties.

Nevertheless, as Billy and Jess progress from junior school brats into their early 40s, their accents also progress: from unacceptable to fashionable, and that’s mirrored in what happens to them along the way. As kids they’re both crazy about drama and acting, and they dream and scheme of Oliviers and the West End via a (genuinely touching) vignette of Romeo and Juliet.

Real life and the chasm between girls and the patriarchy intervene. Billy realises he’s not the next Benedict Cumberbatch and also that he’s gay. Jess is upset about the former and not the latter, but he decamps to London anyway for a gig as an assistant to an assistant talent agent, or something like that. Soon he’s hobnobbing with stars and celebs. At the same time, Jess’s semi-genetic, gender-based lack of confidence has her married off and abandoning the stage for changing nappies and egg and chips.

If that sounds a bit kitchen-sink, just hang on a minute. Upton (not related to the author of the execrable Riflemind) has a fabulous ear for snappy dialogue and comical situations grounded in authentic humanity. And in this play, she has crafted two appealing, three-dimensional characters.

For this production – the first in Australia – director and set designer Craig Baldwin has configured the Old Fitz space in the rare – and effective – traverse mode. It lends vivid, unfeigned movement to what might otherwise become a more traditionally static two-hander, especially as both actors are adept at occasionally discommoding members of the audience. (Fear not, it isn’t audience participation.) Scattered around the bleachers are numbers of cardboard packing cartons from which occasional props are dug out. And there’s a long central dais. Other than that, the visual vivacity comes from the lighting (Aron Murray), and sound design and composition (Felix Partos); all elements are equally on point.

It is all about Jess and Billy, however, as Jess finally struggles into the sunlight of success as a playwright. Something that disconcerts and delights Billy, Humans being what they are. Over the years, and with physical separation, there has to be a loosening of the ties between the dearest pals as their lives take different trajectories. Yet the steadfast and platonic nature of their friendship endures, somehow, and despite inevitable jealousy, misunderstandings, professional and personal tensions, and plain old life, the mutual sparkle and warmth continue as a simmering, peppery presence, despite marital partners and more, or less, bliss.

At 90 minutes, Scenes From A Friendship is an unexpected and unusual delight. The chemistry between Campbell and McGlynn as the lifelong friends is palpable, and their performances are exquisitely detailed and honest; they are enchanting. Nonetheless, Pollyanna is not present, in case you’re wondering: there is no holding back when things go awry, which they often do. AND you get the feeling Jess is a playwright in the mould of Bryony Lavery or Nell Dunn, rather than Sarah Kane or Caryl Churchill.

Underneath the continual back and forth of the relationship is an underpinning of questions that affect us all and which get hopelessly lost in the internet world: what is a friend? Why is a friend so important? Who really knows me? Who really cares? At a point when Billy is at his lowest, Jess throws him a lifeline in the form of a simple statement: “I don’t know who I am without you.” Recommended without reservation.