Sydney Reviews

Photos – James Penlidis

Two Russian prisoners, Versilly (Frank Woodley), and Victor (Simon Yates), inhabit a small cage in an absurdist prison. Their idea of freedom is eating mushrooms and sitting in beanbags which they believe to exist beyond "the wall." The prison provides context for an episodic series of physical comedy skits which are often delightfully bizarre, although no comedy show would be complete without the occasional "knob gag".

Woodley is a physical comedian in the tradition of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton and is best known as one half of the comedy duo Lano and Woodley who broke up in 2006. Gone are the boyish curly locks and trademark hat from the Lano and Woodley years. Frank now sports the skinhead of a prison inmate, or a "Resident" as the prison voiceover calls them. The new hair do, or lack thereof, means that much of his physical comedy is now conveyed through the whites of his large eyeballs.

Simon Yates has known Woodley for 25 years. He is co-founder of the avant-garde circus company Acrobat which makes him the ideal companion for Woodley. The pair first worked together on Frank's tv series, Woodley which aired on ABC TV last year. Yates plays the straight man, albeit a very flexible one to the taller, gangly, and slightly more unhinged Woodley.

The show succeeds largely because Woodley and Yates make excellent use of the intimate and quirky Spiegeltent. Most of the action takes place in a small cage in the centre of the tent, but at times it feels as though the whole tent is a stage as toy birds fly overhead. The sound design of Steven Gates, (best known as a member of the comedy music group Tripod), deserves a special mention. In one memorable sequence the residents escape in standard prison break fashion by digging a tunnel underground. The sound travels around the circumference of the tent, perfectly mimicking their route.

Although this is clearly a show based around loosely connected physical comedy routines, I would have loved a stronger story. The world of the prison is intriguing with its shopping mall style voice overs. However it is under explored and therefore does not convey an adequate feeling of terror to make this a truly black comedy.

Having said that, the show is genuinely laugh out loud funny in parts. The humour is quirky and the execution of Woodley and Yates is wonderful. Thankfully the Spiegeltent is well air conditioned, in preparation for the upcoming heat wave.


Sydney Festival and Token Events Present
INSIDE

Directed by Russell Fletcher

SYDNEY
The Famous Spiegeltent
(Sydney Festival)
9-­‐27 January
sydneyfestival.org.au/inside

ADELAIDE
The Garden of Unearthly Delights
(Adelaide Fringe)
15 February – 17 March
adelaidefringe.com.au

MELBOUNE
The Famous Spiegeltent
(Melbourne Comedy Festival)
27 March – 21 April
comedyfestival.com.au