Full of surprises, this quirky black comedy is a superb example of the potential of the single-actor monologue.
Oscar feels that he has lived a loveless life, but gets on with making his way in the wider world. Death and a funeral call him home to his boyhood town of Bowengabbie, a place he was only too glad to leave. The funfair theme of the occasion leaves him bemused as he renews acquaintance with schoolmates and elderly family members who have stayed in the valley – and also a marsupial nemesis. Returning to real life in the city, preparing for career advancement and a strategic marriage, he finds his plans repeatedly interrupted by a series of further deaths and funerals that conspire to bring him back home. In trying to find an answer to how these deaths might be linked, he also finds answers to other questions about his past and future.
Bryce Youngman filled the stage with an amazing array of distinct characters; able to present a conversation among a group of people without pause or audience confusion, his tightly controlled facial expressions took us not only from character to character – each a comic gem in its own right, from irascible Pop to entrepreneurial Gary to drama queen Aunty – but also reflected Oscar’s honest reactions to surreal situations as they arose. So successful were Youngman’s character creations that it felt like I was clapping for a larger cast than just one man at the conclusion of the show.
Caleb Lewis keeps to simple themes of love, loss and country towns, but embroiders his rich prose poetically, creating atmospheric scenes. This contrasts sharply with the casual asides that contain the weird and wonderful details accepted as part of small town life, such as the ice cream truck being re-purposed as a hearse. Together with Youngman’s assured and consistent delivery, ably directed by Matt Edgerton, this word-fest brings a wonderful story to life.
Lighting was a big part of the show, and the huge array of individual spots worked well in setting scene and character, and neatly concluding each act. Sound work was tight, with some closely co-ordinated sound breaks between Youngman and the desk effectively ‘stopping’ the action at strategic points.
Lewis’s rich script has been expertly realised by the combined efforts of Youngman and Edgerton, a tale punctuated by funerals which demonstrates the rude health of contemporary Australian theatre.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Death in Bowengabbie
Presented by The Blue Room Theatre, Shaman Productions and Poetry in Action
Writer: Caleb Lewis
Director: Matt Edgerton
Producer & Publicist: Gemma Sidney
Lighting Designer: Joe Lui
Sound Designer & Composer: James Collins
Stage Manager: Jennifer Friend
Performed by Bryce Youngman
The Blue Room Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge
23 April -11 May 2013
