Penned by David Williamson AO, the play, Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica premiered in 2010. Presented by Queensland Theatre, it’s now currently playing at Brisbane’s Bille Brown Theatre.
Directed by Mark Kilmurry, the play is a two character, comedic romance starring Georgie Parker as Monica and Glenn Hazeldine as Gary (aka Rhinestone Rex). The playwright describes them as two of his favourite actors.
Gary is the handyman who is hired to renovate Monica’s kitchen. No longer able to perform as a second violinist in a symphony orchestra, Monica faces budgetary constraints. It seems that she has selected the tradie with the cheapest quote: Gary. You get what you pay for…
They clash immediately. Monica, a sophisticated woman recovering from a relationship breakdown, is accustomed to the finer side of living. Now single, her career ended by a chronic shoulder injury, she’s reconstructing her disassembled life. A new kitchen seems a good place to begin.
Anyone who has ever built or renovated knows that the process or price is never as straightforward as dreamed. Inevitably, there are unanticipated obstacles, delays and inflated costs. Reflective of life really.
In stark contrast to the refined, organised Monica, everything about Gary is loud. He is an ordinary Aussie bloke who’s had his own share of tough times. Whereas Monica remembers past disappointments with analytical bitterness, Gary embellishes his failures and presents them as triumphs. Monica does some digging via Google.
Gary tackles the renovation work loudly accompanied by the blasting Country music which he loves. Monica is mortified. Unaware that Monica is classically trained, Gary gives her a bit of a lecture on music.
Initially it seems inconceivable that this polarised pair who have crossed paths will ever find any mutual ground or agreement on anything.
However, David Williamson AO is our nation’s foremost playwright. Plot, characterisation and dialogue are cleverly controlled by his mighty pen and mind. The notes indicate that he was inspired by a real life situation.
On stage, his protagonists are delivering the convincing, solid performances expected from actors of their calibre. They are completely in character and the audience is emotionally involved and invested.
Some name changes refer to local suburbs and pubs in Brisbane. Incredible set design by the creative team. The interior decor is very Monica. Gary seems glaringly and annoyingly out of place.
As the play progresses and the plot unfolds, so too do the stories of Gary and Monica. Vulnerabilities are revealed. Hard exteriors soften. Mutual ground becomes permanent compatibility. Love prevails over drunken lust.
Georgie Parker and Glenn Hazeldine shine. I highly recommend attending this play while they’re in town.
Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica
Bille Brown Theatre, 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane
Performance: Saturday 31 May 2025
Season continues to 21 June 2025
Information and Bookings: www.queenslandtheatre.com.au
Image: Glenn Hazeldine and Georgie Parker in Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica – photo by Jade Ellis
Review: Michele-Rose Boylan