Berkoff in Two Acts _x0018_ Lunch_x0019_ By Steven Berkoff With Lydia Nicholson and Cameron Pike Directed by Jonathan Bragg Tom and Mary meet during their lunch hour on a park bench near the sea, they seem instantly drawn to each other. The man stalks the woman who is both frightened and intrigued by this unknown male. Tom sells advertising space within a cheap magazine and tells tales of his encounters to the woman, repulsing and enticing her in equal measure. The pair begin to explore the relationships in their own and each other_x0019_ s lives. The predatory male, with his briefcase and papers, tries to convince the woman to buy some space in his magazine and all the wonder that comes with that purchase. Lunch weaves a comedic and disturbing story with the poetry and virtuosity that is the hallmark of Berkoff_x0019_ s work. It is almost thirty years since the first performance of Lunch and it still resonates today. A mass of neuroses as man and woman set out on a journey seeking catharsis, seeking validation and clinging onto idealistic hopes and dreams for the future in a world that is constantly bringing disappointment. Lunch is simultaneously dark and funny and utilises Berkoff_x0019_ s mastery of language to explore the themes and possibilities within the play. Patrick Corser, reviewing a production of Lunch at the Crescent Theatre in 2007, said that Berkoff _x001C_ spins a silken web of words, one can never escape the fact that behind them lies an unintelligible scream._x001D_ A statement which captures perfectly the essence of the work. _x0018_ Dog_x0019_ By Steven Berkoff With Jonathan Bragg Directed by Jonathan Bragg Dog portrays the relationship between a violent football hooligan and his ferocious pit bull terrier _x0018_ Roy_x0019_ . These two creatures, born during Thatcher_x0019_ s Britain, epitomise the Xenophobia and yob culture that emerged in the _x0018_ 80_x0019_ s. Disaffected youths wore football shirts and blood like badges of honour and tabloid newspapers reported regular pit bull terrier attacks on innocent members of the public. Dog shows the loving and brutal relationship between Roy and his master who both exhibit the same sensibilities, prejudices and ravenous appetites for violence. Dog, although a product of _x0018_ 80_x0019_ s Britain, provides an insight into today_x0019_ s society. Berkoff has provided a commentary for the modern world. The violent sub culture can still be seen on the streets of our towns as tabloid fuelled ignorance and racism give rise to a fervent belief of what it is to be _x0018_ English_x0019_ or, indeed _x0018_ Australian_x0019_ . The twisted logic and double standards employed by the yob perfectly capture the mindset of that small cross section of society. Berkoff_x0019_ s skill as a writer creates a humorous central character with whom the audience is able to laugh with and be shocked by in equal measure. The protagonist is a dangerous man clothed in Berkoff_x0019_ s rich language which enables an audience to engage with and question the themes explored in the text.
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