My God. There really is a Double Bay Mannequin Festival. Now I've heard everything. Though I haven't seen it. Yet. It's called Strike A Pose and, as I write, it's on for just shy of another week. I mention this, ostensibly, because subtlenuance last evening presented a sneak preview of their pop-up theatre experiment, A Thing Of Beauty. And it was. It was also, moreover, a thing of affecting comedy and incisive social commentary, performed solo, and brilliantly, by Newtown actor, Jo Richards. As an actor, of course, it's always reassuring to know you've got great material with which to work and it doesn't get a whole lot better than that written, and directed, by the affable Paul Gilchrist.The simply irrepressible Daniela Giorgi has boldy gone where few, if any, other producers would, in talking her way into DB's civilised Royal Oak. I say civilised but, don't be mistaken, don't be misled, even stuck-up Double Pay can ensure a decent quota of loud, drunken yobbos. And this on an autumnal Monday evening. It should be said that, were it not for said voluble drongos, the pop-up experiment could've scored an unequivocal thumbs-up. But this must be tempered with the cautionary note that, if one's to pop along, one takes one's chances, re the attendant clientele. These particular patrons certainly managed to disrupt my (not altogether legendary) focus.
That said, there are no other qualifications in commending this work. The pop-up idea (bump in, and out, in under an hour) is novel and exciting and augurs well for theatrical distribution across the broad canvas of Sydney's suburbs.
Ms Richards' effortlessly recounts her travel experiences, alongside her 'imaginary' friends, Naomi & Ruth. In so doing, she evidences Gilchrist's keen eye for the wandering guy; well, girl. The classic Aussie tourist is lampooned, but not entirely mercilessly. Much is made, for example, of the conundrum of the revered holy trinity of Australian life: the house (mortgage); car; travel. No sooner do we put down and spread roots, than we hanker, in our middleclassness, to pull 'em up and hit the frog 'n' toad. Even while many of us will never see exotic locales like Patagonia, or Eritrea; cleaving instead to Ikea. If you think that's funny, credit Gilchrist: I'm merely paraphrasing. Richards' performance, moreover, ekes out the very best from these lines, thanks to her character's starry-eyed, self-unawareness; unwitting imperialistic monocultural brutality and backblocks naivety. Yet the very same character isn't without insights into pretence, fakeness and mannequinism. The monocultural brutality of which I speak is couched in familiar terms: reference is made to the French being compelled to learn English at school, yet staunchly refusing to speak it, 'cause they want us to make an effort; 'as if flying for 24 hours isn't enough!' On souvenirs in India: 'you can get snowdomes in Mumbai, but you're more likely to get hepatitis'. There's also the excruciating, but sidesplitting spectre of extracting change from a beggar's bowl.
Does one really have to see every unmissable attraction, when there's a perfectly good photo in the brochure? And how charming is the average Frenchman? 'When some women hear that accent, it makes them want to rip off their clothes and jump into bed. When I hear it, it makes me want to rip off my clothes, and jump in the shower.'
I'm not known for brevity, but I'll make an exception, in honour of this piece which is short, sweet, piquant and pithy. I'm hoping it'll galvanise a cult following, and pop-up will become as commonplace as MKR. It deserves to.
Pop along and see it.
By the way, commendations, too, for Emma Vine's graphic design, which was fully-sick, and David Tibbles' technical operation, which was fully-slick.
Better yet, all profits from this production will be donated to the Lifehouse at RPA Chris O'Brien Capital Appeal.
subtlenuance presents
A Thing of Beauty
by Paul Gilchrist
Venue: The Royal Oak Hotel | 28 Bay St, Double Bay
Dates/Times:
Mon 15 March 8pm - Tix by donation
Mon 22 March 8pm and Tues 23 March 8pm - Tix $15 / $12
Bookings: 0403 762 212 |
Visit: www.subtlenuance.com
All profits donated to the Lifehouse at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital - Chris O’Brien Capital Appeal
