Reviving what might be Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s most famous play, Absurd Person Singular is the Melbourne Mofo Theatre Company’s debut production and is certainly a courageous if not risky choice to set out with.
First produced back in 1972, the play takes place in three different kitchens over three successive Christmas Eve’s, and watches the social rise and fall of the three couples in question, cleverly delivering quick Fawlty Towers-esque comedy with an almost cruel sense of irony.
In the right hands this play could be extraordinarily good, but the Melbourne Mofo Theatre Company production directed by Co-Artistic Director and VCA Graduate Grant Foulkes is ​not consistent. The first two acts move along at a terrific speed and fizz with comic inspiration, but the third act falls apart with a lack of pace and some clumsy direction as it strangely turns into melodrama. The play is an interesting choice, however time has not been kind to the piece with many jokes feeling dated. Thankfully Foulkes has a good skill for comedy and keeps the old farcical style fresh and vibrant throughout, but the strange decision to mix naturalism with old-school proscenium arch acting clashes, making you want to scream out to the actors, ‘Talk to each other, not to me!’
Across the board, the ensemble acting is a little uneven, especially in terms of actors projection. Kindred Studios is clearly a venue suited to live music rather than theatre, and many of the actors seem unaccustomed to the demands of such a space – Tim Page as Sidney is an absolute standout, combining the timing of a Swiss watch with boundless energy. He is given excellent support from Jean Goodwin as the eccentric alcoholic Marion and Marc Opitz as Ronald, the wry and sardonic banker.
Despite it’s obvious flaws, it is an enjoyable, fun production and worth the trip to Yarraville. An added bonus is the cheese, chocolate and wine included in the expensive ticket price, giving the evening a “gold class” feel for those who are able to afford it. It’s a admirable and welcome production, offering a great addition to the Melbourne independent theatre scene from the Melbourne Mofo Theatre Company.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Absurd Person Singular
Director: Grant Foulkes
Written by Alan Ayckbourn
Stage Manager: Elizabeth Verber
Cast: Jean Goodwin, Marc Opitz, Emma Ann and, Nelson Gardner, Tim Page and Melissa Kleores
Kindred Studios,
212a Whitehall Street,
Yarraville 3013
12-21 February
Robert Chuter shares a house with actor Marc Opitz.
