On Edge

On Edge — a drama in three acts by Yvonne Fein :

• Premier production of Saltpillar Theatre for the Jewish Arts Festival, Phoenix Theatre 1988

Cast:
Freydi Mrocki — Lara Rosen – Lionel’s wife
Michael Wise — Lionel Rosen – Lara’s husband
Ashley Bush — Daniel Harris – Lara’s Lover
Mark Zandle — Saul Rosen – Lionel’s father
Mendl Szmerling — Jacob Weinman – Lara’s father

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?isbn=1875633170&cm_sp=mbc–ISBN–all

• 4 week season at the Universal Theatre 1989

Cast:
Natalie Bate — Lara Rosen – Lionel’s wife
Joseph Spano — Lionel Rosen – Lara’s husband
Dominique Sweeny — Daniel Harris – Lara’s lover
Roy Baldwin — Jacob Weinman – Lara’s father
Malcolm Robertson — Saul Rosen – Lionel’s father

Maurice Johns — Director
Richard Jeziorny — Designer
Laurie Gellon — Lighting Designer

Published by CIS Publishers, Carlton, Victoria, 1992 with a foreword by Sam Lipski

On Edge portrays one woman’s struggle to establish her own identity against the odds. As a Jew in contemporary Australian society, the pressure is on Lara to find satisfaction working in the family business and in her roles as wife and mother. But Lara wants someone to love her and not her roles.

Will Lara tell her perfect provider of a husband that she is finding passion in the arms of a gentile lover? What is her father-in-law hiding about his concentration camp days? On Edge is about the burden that all generations carry. Lara has to choose between self-fulfillment and commitment to family and culture.

The thematic content raises issues , making choices and personal growth as the role of women in society; the guilt of those involved in war; family relationships; making choices

What the Critics Say:

The strength of the play is the compassion with which it has been written. It calls for understanding rather than condemnation or judgement. Peter Weiniger, The Age.

…a writer with a strong sense of what makes ideas work dramatically. Geoffrey Milne, The Herald

… carefully crafted and thought-provoking… On Edge easily manages to engage and entertain. Chris Boyd, The Melbourne Times.

…[On Edge] certainly stands up as a strong, dramatic piece, a work of substance. Arlene Isaacs, The Australian Jewish News.

…a rare dramatist’s voice…memorable and absorbing drama. Sam Lipski in his foreword.