a priori projects. Bakehouse Theatre. 17 Feb 2018
Writer, producer and performer Rowan McDonald could write another show about the near death experience of First Name Unknown. A few weeks before the opening, the other actor in his show bailed, leaving McDonald to re-cut the original 45-minute show to the 30-minute - and consequently overpriced - one-man show currently on offer.
Don't know about the missing fifteen minutes, but it's now nothing as advertised. No exposé of secret dossiers of the CIA, ASIO or [Australian] Border Force agencies, nothing too horrifying to believe, no strong sexual content nor any violence.
But what is on view at The Bakehouse is a little gem. McDonald, an average, white suburban Sydney-sider male, began the show with an imploring recognition of Aboriginal country, then started a total and unrelenting satire, send-up and biting critique of your average white Australian male in such a subtle way you have to laugh at yourself, if you're one of those.
This he did with great charm in three segments. Initially, we see your average male fluoro-vest worker getting ready for the day in silence with a soundtrack describing the behaviour and sexual practice of some species in the wilderness. This voiceover was performed by none other than McDonald himself in a voice and cadence of exacting verisimilitude to David Attenborough. It was priceless.
The soundtrack got suitably cacophonous and confused while our worker was interviewing arrivals at a detention centre. This was followed by a damning appraisal of the state of the arts in Australia due to its male dominance and Euro-centricity. Not hate, but exasperation. Accompanying the action was a fetching light show simply reflected off large plastic sheets hanging off a clothesline (Lexie Condon - lighting operator).
A curious and thoughtful piece of Fringe. One wonder’s what the original work was like?
David Grybowski
2.5 stars
When: 15 to 24 February
Where: Bakehouse Theatre
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
