I originally saw Boy Girl Wall during one of its earlier phases in Brisbane, and it’s a truly special experience to experience it again and witness the growth and development that the show been through. But across this lapse of time, I had forgotten just how very funny, clever and entertaining this performance is. It was a welcome reminder on opening night when I shared the joy, surprise and laughter this production inspires alongside other audience members, for this play is not only entertaining, it is by far one of the most enjoyable theatrical performances that I’ve ever had the privilege to see (twice).
Co-writer, realiser and solo performer, Lucas Stibbard (who was nominated for a Helpmann Award for his work on Boy Girl Wall) has a phenomenal energy that carries effortlessly through the duration of the piece. This dynamic and vibrant element of the performance not only brings the play to life, it creates a space where anything can and does happen, from string theory, to pervert aliens, demon magpies and the contemplation of the universe. All of this is wrapped up in a bundle of innovative, enlightening and magical theatre which at its core is about the simplest story of all – a boy, a girl and the wall who has decided that they should be together.
Stibbard’s remarkable performance sees him embodying over 20 different characters and personifying an array of inanimate objects from ‘wall’ to ‘floor’ and even days of the week. What’s truly exceptional about this is not just the idea that a floor or a day of the week might have a voice, but that The Escapists have captured the essence of it so perfectly (of course that’s how a floor would talk, of course that’s what Wednesday would say). Equally, there are several stereotypes that have been created and performed with such brilliant accuracy that the laughter simply bursts out of the audience.
Part of MTC’s Education season, Boy Girl Wall offers young students a fantastic journey into contemporary theatre. The innovative design explores a surplus of interesting theatrical devices for students and teachers to examine in depth whilst the solo performance and group creation of the piece also present clear and absorbing links to the drama curriculum. Perhaps the most significant element of the production was the fact that this show was an absolute hit with all the young people in the audience on the night this reviewer attended. Risqué enough to be slightly shocking, entertaining enough to hold onto short attention spans and featuring enough cultural references to delight young people, Boy Girl Wall ticks all the right boxes for this audience. Ultimately, what better way is there to inspire young creative minds about theatre than taking them to see a piece that they can really connect with?
However, if you are looking for an entertaining night at the theatre, don’t let the ‘education’ tag put you off. Boy Girl Wall is exquisitely woven together to produce an intelligent piece of theatre that is not only laugh out loud funny, but also highly original, innovative and so touching that you’ll get goose bumps. Tickets will sell fast (and sell out, if previous tours are anything to go by) so make sure you secure your place now and be brought into the universe of Boy Girl Wall – which as it turns out, might just be infinite.
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Boy Girl Wall
Realised by Matthew Ryan, Lucas Stibbard, Neridah Waters and Sarah Winter
Directed by Matthew Ryan
Set and Costume Design: Jonathon Oxlade
Lighting Design & Stage Manager: Keith Clark
Composer & Sound Design: Neridah Waters
Performed by Lucas Stibbard
Musician: Neridah Waters
The MTC Theatre, Lawler Studio
April 17 – May 4
