Ivan (Dash Kruck) has the task of performing a spectacular tribute to Gorey (Source: World Theatre Festival).
Inspired by the work of Edward Gorey’s’ The Gashlycrumb Tinies’, Cousins Ivan and Juniper have taken it upon themselves to present to us an elaborate alphabetised (albeit, out of order) recital of grim and hilariously heinous deaths of unfortunate children. Directed by Benjamin Schotakowski of Monsters Appear, their tribute to Gorey is quirky and kooky but hilariously good fun.
The actors are perfect for their respective roles, sharing a great deal of chemistry that really sparkles on-stage. Dash Kruck and Emily Curtin as Ivan and Juniper look appropriately sick and languid as the children. Kruck as Ivan is an absolute delight, with his awkward mannerisms paired with his obnoxiously confident attitude flaring up in his attempts to domineer over his cousin. Curtin as Juniper is equally entertaining, with her timid and fragile portrayal of the character as slightly infatuated with her cousin while striding to please him. Overall they’re both pedantic, selfish and pathetic, but undeniably endearing and somewhat adorable. Strong, solid characters that keep the audience engaged throughout the entirety of the piece.
The script is achingly funny. The text is unashamedly cheeky and even vulgar in some areas, but cracking with wit and tongue-in-cheek humor. My favourite moment in the entire piece was an obscure, throw-away comment made by Ivan in regards to how athletic he was. It made me laugh, which made me laugh and my laugh, which made the audience laugh at my laughing. What was really joyous about this piece was that it was the sort of entertainment where it felt that the crowd was able to laugh at whatever they like – it’s not the kind of place where people’s monocles will fall off as they gasp in horror.
While this Scratch performance didn’t address when, where and why this was happening, the script and characterization of the performance was phenomenally entertaining. A Spectacular of Sorts is an irresistibly odd and alarmingly entertaining rendezvous of black comedy and cheeky charm. I feel like I’ve gone around in circles describing it (saying the same thing over 9000 different ways), but that’s because it was just hilariously entertaining. If you didn’t manage to catch this production at World Theatre Festival, be looking for the show when it appears as A Tribute of Sorts at La Boite Indie in October this year.
‘A Spectacular of Sorts’ presented by Monsters Appear is showing on 24-26 February at Brisbane Powerhouse’s World Theatre Festival. Duration of 30 minutes. Suitable for ages 13 and over. Q&A Session will follow the performance. Visit the World Theatre Festival Official Website for more information on session times and to buy tickets and festival passes.
Sam Says WTF 2012 