Did anyone else feel like a bit of a dick taking notes through this? Just me? Because, Ursula Martinez, Zoë Coombs Marr and Adrienne Truscott have not so much made a brilliantly constructed piece of catharsis by way of some remarkable physical theatre, but instead basically devised a review-resistant organism.
It’s difficult to comment – let alone critique – a show, when the first 20 minutes are quotes from various ‘reviews’ of the show itself. Nae bother – these three women, along with an excellent cameo in the final 30 minutes by Krishna Istha, explore and eviscerate in equal measure the idea of the 1-star review.
Years ago, a teacher and playwright offered me advice about a play I was writing: “Try not to give the audience anything they expect.” You’ll understand when you see it, but Wild Bore offers the unexpected all the way through.
One of the fascinating things about the show is how during all the ecstasy and meta-meta hijinks, the theme of Ego exerts itself. Wild Bore starts with anecdotes of nursing their own bruised egos, but it moves on from there to place ego at the centre of a bad review.
Too many quotes offered seem to be speaking about taste, instead of talking about the work. Because, no one cares what Div Collins thinks. They want to know is the work any good? It is. From the bells tolling as the lights went down to begin, to the final frenetic ending more cardio than climax – it is.
Wild Bore
Beckett Theatre – The Coopers Malthouse, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank
Performance: Thursday 18 May 2017 – 8.00pm
Season continues to 4 June 2017
Information and Bookings: www.malthousetheatre.com.au
Image: Adrienne Truscott, Ursula Martinez, and Zoe Coombs Marr feature in Wild Bore – photo by Tim Grey
Review: David Collins