Lucy Hopkins presents a penetrating critique of self-indulgent artists in the funniest way imaginable in Le Foulard; a minimalist stage performance that hugely impressed her Perth audience at Fringe World.
It begins with Hopkins announcing that she will be giving us something of very high quality… because she’s an artist… and that we may not understand this. Already her audience are in fits of laughter, as she interjects self-deprecating moments of creative dancing or comically wry expressions into these deliberately portentous pronouncements. Later Hopkins gives us a lesson in using our bodies to communicate more effectively, to side splitting effect, and announces – as one of her three main personas – that ‘art can actually set you free … and probably reverse the effects of global warming’.
Her intense face and her unusually long and pale white hands are brilliantly expressive. I can still see one of her cleverly created personae who loves ‘all the trees in nature’, as well as her announcements of ‘discovering the self’ – and yet Hopkins the performer punctures such pomposity and pretension with one easy swoop of her hands or captivating facial expression. Her observations are both subtle and endearing at the same time, ensuring that her personas never veer into caricature.
Hopkins’ writing skills are on par with her superb physicality; she perceptively balances the bullshit-o-meter with moments of genuine creativity. Yes, she is using herself in her own artwork (as she had earlier lightly criticised) but she simultaneously mocks herself, and creates an entertaining argument against her other personas as part of the performance. She also takes songs from popular culture and re-imagines them in an eclectic parodying style that, again, has her audience rolling about in glee. These musical segments are cleverly woven into the overall performance and demonstrate her impressive range.
The production as a whole is beautifully crafted, allowing us to reflect on the idea that Hopkins leaves us with at the end.
Somehow high-minded and completely down to earth at the same time, Hopkins’ use of language, movement and expression are a wonder to behold. This show deservedly won the Creative Award at the 2012 Prague Fringe. A brilliantly inventive and immersive theatre experience.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Le Foulard
Written and Performed by Lucy Hopkins
Performance Space, PICA, Perth Cultural Centre
19 – 23 February
Fringe World 2013
Tuxedo Cat, Adelaide: 2 – 17 March
www.adelaidefringe.com.au
Tuxedo Cat, Melbourne: 27 March – 21 April
www.comedyfestival.com.au
Brisbane Powerhouse: 24 – 27 April
