Its title name may be a bit of a mouthful, but Credible Likeable Superstar Role Model manages to stuff a whole load of arresting concerns on growing up amongst the chaos of today’s world. The show opens with British performer Bryony Kimmings and her young niece, Taylor, donning matching page-boy attire against a background depicting a magical forest. They kick off the show by dancing to Jessie J’s ‘Domino’ and their synchronised movements against a fairytale backdrop is hilariously weird.
Credible Likeable might first appear to be fluffy, light entertainment, but it ultimately carries a serious message on creating the best environment for our future generation. Kimmings addresses her concerns about the lack of role models for young girls in today’s world. She admits not being the best person to look up to – her flat is filled with sequins and she funds the drug trade. At one point, Taylor dances to the grotesquely inappropriate Katy Perry’s ‘Teenage Dream’, while in the background, Kimmings performs a strip tease that is both funny but a little sad.
From here, Credible Likeable deviates from its previously gleeful outlook and adopts a dark, surreal tone that is absolutely gripping. Kimmings and Taylor put on knight costumes and carry baseball bats and machine guns to ‘fight the good fight’. Some of the subject matter Kimmings discusses is not suitable for children, so Taylor puts on headphones during these adult conversations. Kimmings raps about the horror and violence found in today’s media-saturated landscape. She pretends to gouge her niece’s eyeballs out to protect her from the dangers of the modern world. This arresting sequence truly reflects a sense of intense urgency that something has to be done.
With the help of Kimmings, Taylor creates her own role model instead. Meet Catherine Bennett – a pop star who works in a dinosaur museum and enjoys eating tuna pasta. As Bennett, Kimmings puts on a massive curly blonde wig and glasses. She performs at primary school assemblies, and encourages everyone to join in performing ‘Animal Kingdom’, a song about animals and friendship.
‘I think Catherine’s a bit weird, honestly,’ Kimmings whispers to the audience later, when Taylor pretends to be asleep. Nevertheless, it is quite delightful to see both Kimmings and her niece come to an agreement about what constitutes a good role model.
It arguably takes a while for Credible Likeable to gain its momentum, but it eventually becomes undeniably easy to empathise with Kimmings’s sincerity and get hooked on Catherine Bennett’s sheer enthusiasm in performing a dance movement entitled ‘shy duck’. Credible Likeable features Kimmings as one hell of a cool aunt, trying her best to deliver an endearingly earnest message on social responsibility. Outrageously entertaining and full of heart, Credible Likeable is not to be missed.
Rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5
Credible Likeable Superstar Role Model
Written & Directed by Bryony Kimmings
Performers Bryony Kimmings, Taylor Houchen
Music & Co-Direction Tom Parkinson
Lighting Design Marty Langthorne
Set Design & Costume David Curtis Ring
Costume Stephanie Turner
Dramaturg Nina Steiger
Choreography of Animal Kingdom Figs In Wigs
Producer Mimi Poskitt
Theatre Works, Acland St, St Kilda
Festival of Live Art
www.fola.com.au
25 March – 6 April
