Skylight, on now at the Ensemble Theatre, is an earlier work by David Hare and keeping with his style of writing is delving into the difficulties of life and in particular the break-up of an affair, the idea of what is life, what is satisfying and how money can change a person’s perspective. Maybe not the right material for a first date… just saying.

Kyra (Katharine Cullen) comes home after what looks like an exhausting day. She unpacks some groceries, runs herself a bath… and a stranger walks in.

Edward (Nigel Turner-Carroll) is the son of her ex-lover Tom (Sean Taylor) who has come seeking her out following the death of his mother. Kyra and Tom had a four-year affair that only recently ended with Kyra fleeing to seek out a more satisfying existence.

This play raises the questions – what do you find satisfying in life, and also what are the benefits of an affair?

Mark Kilmurry has directed an interesting stage play about the complexities of life and inevitably what means more to you, personal reward or money?

We all know David Hare and seen at least one of his works. You can see by the performance Skylight is definitely one of his earlier works, but is still enjoyable and entertaining to watch on the Ensemble stage. The play does make you question your life and what determines your satisfaction? Also has the desire of money and greed changed your outlook on life? But also how would you react if you were in an affair that was clouding your judgement on reality.

Katharine Cullen as Kyra is a strong independent individual determined to create a satisfying existence for herself. She became accustomed to a life of privilege and lost her way, and is now etching a new one helping underprivileged children by teaching.

Sean Taylor as Tom is very much an arrogant individual who is enjoying the perks of his success including being able to have chauffer wait outside for him in the cold and also sending someone out to go buy cheese. It seems that through Tom’s successes in catering he’s forgotten what is important to him as a person… or that he enjoys money too much and it has changed him.

Skylight is a story about life after an affair and the questioning one goes through in the transition into a new life. As this is an early work of David Hare it is not as complex and stimulating as his later works, but none the less it is worth the trip across the bridge to see a good piece of Sydney Theatre.

Skylight is currently playing at the Ensemble Theatre.

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