Set in the small Mexican-American border town of Mertirio, we first meet Vernon Gregory Little (Luke Willing) as he escapes the high school massacre perpetuated by his best friend, Jesus (Stefan Gimenez). Vernon’s panic here, generated by touching things he really shouldn’t have, and not getting killed by Jesus, drives the rest of the story.
Hungry for explanations and someone to blame, the local police cast their doubting eyes over Vernon, chomping at the bit to pin something on him.
Smooth talking media nobody Lally (Steve Corner) then turns up on the scene with a camera and commanding voice, promising the world to Vernon and that he’ll reveal the truth, as well as offering fleeting passion for Vernon’s lonely mother (Emma Louise). Lally, however, is hiding secrets of his own, which could make or break his career, or spell the end for Vernon. A mortifying court-appointed visit to a whacked out psychiatrist (Garreth Cruikshank), follows, as does another murder, and Vernon goes on the run to Mexico, with unhappy results.
Taking nearly everything that signifies the hyper-reality of modern American Culture – Southern accents, obsessions with violence and justice, food, music and being a teenager – Vernon God Little uses these tropes and more as a way of beating the audience into submission, much like American culture in general.
It’s a quality production. Director Louise Fischer handles proceedings well, including a massive cast and a deceptively busy but sparse stage. Songs by Dereck Cameron and Cassady Maddox are heartfelt, catchy and sad, just like the country music that is sprinkled throughout the show; the happiest sounding sad music in the world.
But just like the culture it is lambasting, Vernon God Little has its drawbacks. The pot shots it takes at pop culture – the glorification of violence, an untrustworthy media etc – seem a little old hat now, even though the book this play is based on is only 10 years old. And at almost three hours in length (including interval), it is too long to sustain laughs, and too long to be surprising; by the time the revelations and resolutions come, you’re thinking less ‘Oh, that’s why,’ and more ‘Finally!’
Bombast, quick fire scenes melding into others, massive musical numbers involving the entire cast, a huge cast, a lot of effort in the performances, some great dialogue and some very (very) pointed observations of America, it all works, unfortunately, to turn a twisted, Waters-esque fantasy into an over-long fever dream.
Rating: 2 stars out of 5
Vernon God Little
By DBC Pierre
Adapted by Tanya Ronder
Directed by Louise Fischer
Set Design: Tom Bannerman
Lighting Design: Andy Weston
Costume Design: Jessica Sinclair Martin
Choreography: Shondelle Pratt
Assistant Director: Elly Goodman
Cast: Claudia Barrie, Andrew Blight, Dereck Cameron, Steve Corner,
Garreth Cruikshank, Lara Dignam, Olivia Dodds, Tom Gilmour,
Stefan Gimenez, Emma Harris, Adam Hatzimanolis, Dave Kirkham,
Cassady Maddox, Elisha Oliver, Julia Rorke and Luke Willing
The New Theatre, Newtown
August 14 – September 15
