The cutthroat business of comedy is exposed in this fascinating satire by former stand-up turned comedian, Fred Rowan, which pits a diverse group of comics against each other as they wait to go on stage at a benefit gig for a local psychiatric hospital. There is only room for one star on
this bill, but who will win the coveted position when nobody really
deserves it, and what are they willing to sacrifice to be the headline
act?
Disgraced veteran comic Johnny Mazing (Kevin Summers) was once a successful comedian, with nine TV Week cover appearances to his name, but has been banned from live performance for the past 10 years after an ego-fuelled drug binge led to a gross indiscretion on live television. Having now kicked his cocaine habit, Mazing is determined to prove that he still has what it takes. His strategy is simple: he’ll crash the benefit gig.
Mazing’s presence in the Green Room catalyses the egos and ruthless competitiveness of the other comedians, and the fine ensemble cast does a terrific job of exploring the uncomfortable truth of what it really takes to be a successful comic.
Upcoming youngster Jarryd Martin, who’s trying to break into the comedy game, is played by real life comedian David Nash. Veteran comic Janie J (Wendy Little) is known as much for her drinking as her acerbic wit and sharp observational comedy; her partner, television star Seb Atkinson (Shannon Woollard), is simmering and abusive. The smarmy, deeply offensive master of ceremonies, Dave MacFarlane, is played by Tim Ferris, who must be applauded for his performance as this deeply unlikeable but believable character. Then there’s the tough, ambitious sweetheart Stacy Branson (Karla Silvey) whose main concern is maintaining her place in the pecking order; and finally there’s the power-monger producer, Harry Sandalwood, who represents the soul-destroying industry at its worst.
Thrown into this dangerous mix is the amateur comedian and star-struck comedy fan, Graham Dempster, who tells jokes at the local psychiatric ward. Played with relish by Jeremy Kewley, the irony of this character is that the playwright uses him to illustrate the cruel realities of the industry. The play’s most affecting moment has nothing to do with Johnny Mazing; it comes when the innocent Dempster ‘dies’ on stage when his puerile jokes fail to win over the audience.
There is no redemption for any of these characters. Rowan shows us an industry that exploits and corrupts its most talented. The survivors are the best game players, not necessarily the funniest comedians.
This is a serious play about the pressures of life in comedy, performed by a richly talented ensemble. Directed with a confident hand by Bruce Langdon, this worthy Australian play absolutely deserves a wider audience.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Death of a Comedian
Written by Fred Rowan
Directed by Bruce Langdon
Cast: Linden Compassi, Tim Ferris, Jeremy Kewley,
Wendy Little, David Nash, Karla Silvey and Kevin Summers
La Mama Courthouse, Carlton
November 28 – December 9
