Review | Kieran Eaton
Comedy questions things and this dark form of clowning by Elizabeth Davie certainly does. Elizabeth Davie – Apex Predator explores how trauma can psychologically create violent thoughts that hopefully can be channeled to something benign like comedy.
When you sit down and see a cheeky clown popping her head out of a curtain gap, your first thoughts are that this could end up being quite whimsical. The innocence of this character creates plenty moments of amusement that is clowning at it’s purest. Then purposefully slow delivery ensures that there is some deliberate use of anti-humor. This style is very hard to master and so some moments feel like a work in progress, and yet the good moments are brilliant. Davie displays strong acting skills in keeping character of this Apex Predator, with intense body movement and a crazy stare.
The basic premise of the show is that Davie has an opening act played by herself – who is a hunter of predators, aka the Apex Predator! This unusual premise takes you on a slow journey that builds awkwardness, but Davie has the skill to keep the attention of the audience. While we watch her character evolve, she encourages us to embrace some morbid behavior, with some out-there crowd participation work. Stylistically she is like Sacha Baron Cohen, and similarly the hardest challenge can be when the audience knows your act and thus leading to less control of the audience. There were still unexpected moments, but it sometimes feels like things could have been turned on its head more – it may lead you feeling a bit underwhelmed. You can sense watching Davie, that she is a kind soul and puts her heart into this performance, but this show is not mainstream art – for example that she uses a talking clown, rather than being totally silent. By about halfway, you will get the pattern of the act and unfortunately the peak is around the middle.
Davie seems to be somebody you like to know in person and it is unfortunate that only in the ending that has her explain herself and her aim to raise money for domestic violence causes and explore her subconscious – an interesting and powerful concept. In time, this creative form of physical comedy should evolve to push more boundaries.
Elizabeth Davie – Apex Predator is for you, if you like your FRINGEWORLD 2020 shows to be out of the norm and have a strong message – so go have your minds blown or ripped apart!
WHEN: 17th January – 2nd February | 8:00pm
WHERE: The Black Flamingo | Ice Cream Factory | NORTHBRIDGE
INFO: Pricing $20 -$27 | Duration 50 m | Suitability: M | Depicts Violence
TICKETS: https://fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/elizabeth-davie-apex-predator-fw2020
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