There aren’t too many reasons you’d want to watch acting that’s uninspired and unsure, the performer (Paul Morrison) flopping his jelly about on-stage, self-indulgently carrying on in a variety of strained accents. Well, none that I can think of anyway. Perhaps if it is rivetingly scripted. Maybe if it is meaningful in any way, beyond the generic self-exploring artists lament. Possibly if it – through its absurdity – engages and enthrals. Unfortunately, it has and does none of these things. Which is a pity – surely a topic such as male dysfunction should hit with energy a little more affective in a society still unwilling to speak openly about it. Instead, it lacks ‘oomph’, potency, and direction. The constant self-referential nature of it – the jerky jumps out of character to make trivial digressions about his early failure in theatre add nothing to the incoherent, obscure tirade.
That’s not to say the man has no talent, for it has to be said the unbelievable body movements are at times entrancing. With precision and focus he evokes the male frustration with sexual dysfunction, and thus the humiliation, stripping of confidence and failure, associated. His repeated attempts at opening a bottle – trying to pop that cork – are painstaking to watch and the various demands made on him as performer – and not just on the stage – in the form of witty analogies, for instance in the repeating lines: ‘We never go to the beach! Come on, lets go to the beach!’ are well chosen and effective. Ultimately though, while the concepts are unique, the execution is underwhelming.
2011 Sydney Fringe Festival
The Dysfunctional Project
by Paulo mOrrison
Venue: The Newtown Theatre | Corner King & Bray Streets, Sydney
Dates/Times: Sep 24 @ 8:15pm; Sep 28 @ 7:00pm; Sep 29 @ 7:00pm; Oct 2 @ 5:00pm
Tickets: $27.00 –$20.00
Bookings: http://thesydneyfringe.com.au
