Zoe Coombs Marr certainly doesn’t shy away from writing what she knows. After scoring a hit earlier this year with Oedipus Schmoedipus, which she co- wrote, directed and performed in, the playwright and comedian returns to Belvoir with her latest work, Is This Thing On? which she co-directs with Kit Brookman.
Is This Thing On? examines the relationship between a comedian and her audience, over five stages in the same comic’s life. It opens with ‘Brianna’ (whose parents wanted to name her after the Fleetwood Mac song ‘Rhiannon’, as we are told in five different ways by the various Briannas) as an awkward teenager losing her ‘comedy virginity.’ The young Brianna quickly makes way for cheesy bar music, flashing lights and the arrival of her jovial 40-something-year-old self, the MC for the evening (Susan Prior) . She is joined intermittently by her 20, 30 and 50 year old alter egos, played by Genevieve Giuffre, Madeline Benson and Fiona Press respectively. As the evening progresses, it becomes clear that the older Briannas have been beaten down by the comedy circuit and the tone with which they trot out the same old jokes changes considerably.
Is This Thing On? is a polarising piece of theatre. Ralph Myers’ costume choices appropriately illustrate the various life stages and attitudes of the characters and blend perfectly into his excellently designed set. Steve Toulmin’s sound design is hilariously fitting. All actors put in solid performances, with Nat Randall and Susan Prior deserving special mentions. The combination of these key elements means the audience feel immediately as if they are in a comedy club; the only problem is, it’s the worst comedy imaginable. Coombs- Marr’s concept is a smart one, yet something in its execution leaves the feeling that this has been done before. Perhaps it’s the tired story of the neurotic, oversharing or depressed comedian, or simply the (often true) stereotype which says male comedians get more work. There are many poignant moments, and times when the audience laugh with the characters, yet somehow there’s a point at which the show is lost between theatre and stand up comedy.
This is a play packed with Belvoir Street darlings, taking place on one of the best stages in Sydney for such a piece. Unfortunately, it may leave those who aren’t diehard Belvoir fans a little cold.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Is This Thing On?
By Zoe Coombs Marr
Directors: Kit Brockman & Zoe Coombs Marr
Set & Costume Designer: Ralph Myers
Lighting Designer: Verity Hampson
Composer & Sound Designer: Steve Toulmin
Stage Manager: Mel Dyer
Cast: Madeleine Benson, Genevieve Giuffre, Fiona Press, Susan Prior, Nat Randall
Downstairs Theatre, Belvoir
2-26 October
