REVIEW | TAKEAWAY | Workplace dynamics take on a whole new meaning during adversity

Review | Laura Money

We’ve all been there – spending more time at work with your colleagues than your family. The strain that places on each relationship, including with your workmates. Liz Newell creates an insulated yet complicated break-room kitchen sink drama in TAKEAWAY, a darkly funny show centred around the employees of an Italian restaurant. The script has all the hallmarks of Newell’s writing – perhaps crammed a little too full with melodramatic plot points – and proves that it’s easy to have an inclusive work that doesn’t virtue signal, merely reflects current times respectfully. Presented in conjunction with Curtin’s Theatre Arts and the Hayman Theatre Company this show is the perfect vehicle to showcase an ensemble cast in which each performer gets their moment to shine.

Hayman Theatre Company performers are worth keeping an eye out for. They all perform their roles admirably – yes there is still quite a bit of student actor there but it seems to dissipate as they get into their roles more. Keely Johnston, for instance plays Tyler a waitress who has aspirations of performing so rehearses her dance routines while heating up her food. The routines and ‘rock eisteddfod’ facial expressions are all too real, sometimes bleeding into her real performance. Ultimately there are enough confrontational scenes for each of the performers to have their dramatic monologue moment – and each of them do it well. Lou (Kate Naunton-Morgan) spends the majority of the time frowning as her character is required to continually put out fires whilst not really able to cope. She has some touching moments with Clem and learns to bond with her colleagues in ways she wouldn’t have dreamed before the events of the play.

Tiandra Seal plays Clem who no Lo get works at the restaurant yet hangs out there all the time. She delivers some heartfelt lines and has a really punchy argument with her best friend Vas (Tom Cartwright) and while at times she borders on stereotypical moves like tearing up and yelling out a monologue she suppresses these inclinations and grows within the scene. Equally, Cartwright has some killer lines that he sometimes delivers a bit too fast but when he slows it down he becomes the king of deadpan. Cartwright isn’t afraid to look stupid either and his get-up when going to dispose of a dead rat is absolutely brilliant!

Next up are Annalisa Cicchini as Charity and Emilie Tiivel as Darcy. These two definitely have the strangest dynamic – obviously respectful of each other but also a little distant. Their relationship is like that if siblings Cicchini delivers some blistering lines and has great timing. Her panic attacks and Tiivel’s subsequent calming down could be bigger as I feel she is holding back a little. Tiivel is a quiet and affable Darcy. They are a character that’s usually in the background and everyone gets onside with their identity – because Tiivel plays Darcy with such charm, the audience are horrified at the prospect of them being in trouble.

Speaking of sweethearts it’s new girl Alma (Zoe Garciano) and resident party animal Danny (Tom Ford) who round out the cast as loveable fan faves. Garciano is so cute as Alma, taking it on the chin when nicknamed Elmo and happy to volunteer for anything. She doesn’t lose her cool when taken advantage of and has everyone cheering when she finally stands up for herself. Her impassioned monologue about their owner being a person with a family is a lovely moment in theatre. Danny is dealing with caring for a family member with cancer. Ford plays him as the most upbeat and fun-loving guy and his stark contrast when breaking down is done very well.

TAKEAWAY is a clever and darkly funny piece. This fresh look at the workplace dynamic is funny and heartfelt. The script is sharp and the actors have great camaraderie together creating a warm environment you wish you could join!

You can still check out the crew of TAKEAWAY at The Blue Room Theatre until 25th February 2023. TICKETS

Keep up with The Fourth Wall on Facebook and @fourth_wall_media on Instagram to see what we’re up to in 2023.

The Fourth Wall acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land we engage in storytelling on – the Wadjhuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.

FRINGEWORLD 2023 | Your Silence Will Not Protect You | 4.5 Stars

Review | Laura Money

Third in The Anxiety Trilogy, Your Silence Will Not Protect You is Gavin Roach‘s blistering self-examination into anxiety and substance abuse told through the lens of a series of hilarious and intense anecdotes. Roach starts the show with a story about fisting. Yep, that’s right – your eyes didn’t deceive you – fisting. The thing is, Roach is such a friendly and hilarious personality, his delivery just gets you on side immediately. With a tone that suggests even he can’t believe himself, Roach will have you in stitches as he recalls the farcical moment. The story serves as a bit of a Trojan Horse as his next few stories are ultimately darker. Roach jumps to different moments in his life where he has felt anxiety and the ways in which he tried to cope. His writing is vivid – delivery raw. Roach deftly conjures up strong imagery using dark humour and powerful scene-setting – he is a master storyteller – each piece viscerally lands and you feel his pain bodily. Each vignette is a moment in time, darkened around the edges as if Roach doesn’t really wish to relive them but ultimately knows he must.

Jumping from story to story, Roach continues to revisit his fisting story which serves as an anchor for the piece. With the hectic nature of flicking through memories and experiences, by circling back the play to this grounding piece, Roach provides a much needed reprieve from so much confronting material. Roach has a unique style – super camp, over the top, with strange emphasis in his inflection he is so likeable you won’t want his stories to stop. He straddles the boundaries of comedy and tragedy with a well-practised oratory style that is completely his own. It’s captivating. Your Silence Will Not Protect You is a stunning solo piece that leaves Roach’s soul completely and utterly laid out before you. His manic style of jerking bodily from story to story, time and place reflects the anxious nature of his mind – a mind that cannot stop and will move from topic to topic to perhaps evade something serious. But it is a mind that produces wonderful stories.

You can catch all of Gavin’s energy at The Jonesway Theatre until 19th February 2023. TICKETS

Keep up with The Fourth Wall on Facebook and @fourth_wall_media on Instagram to see what we’re up to this FRINGEWORD 2023.

The Fourth Wall acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land we engage in storytelling on – the Wadjhuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.

FRINGEWORLD 2023 | Run by Stephen Laughton | 4 Stars

Review | Laura Money

And then all I can see is YOU

So speaks Yonni, a young British and Jewish man, whenever things get overwhelming. Ben Stuart gives a solo performance as seventeen year old Yonni, telling his story in a non-linear narrative that sometimes flickers and fades as our protagonist fails to process the events of his life. The humour and banter written into Yonni’s character bely his status as unreliable narrator and more and more facts creep in as the story progresses. Run by Stephen Laughton is a sharply written piece that uses the actor against himself – imbibing the script with small clues that are overshadowed by Yonni’s affable nature and banter. It’s a piece that could have benefitted by a British accent as it’s so deeply rooted in a particular culture of Jewish Britain, although Stuart’s pronunciation is impeccable.

Gavin Roach‘s direction is impressive – he has Stuart navigate different temporal zones and headspaces through particular movements on stage. Utilising a soccer ball as a stand in for his great love, and using different levels such as crouching, sitting, and angles Roach creates a dynamic environment that almost mimics Yonni’s headspace. While the rhythm of speech and inflection could be more nuanced, Stuart is a master at using his body to truly demarcate each scene. Stuart moves his body in the rhythm of each scene – shy smile creeping over his face as he hugs himself in simulation of a lover’s embrace, desperation as he pushes against nothing when attempting to help a beached whale and running, running, running. He does these amazing slow motion movements, thrusting his hands to the sky with an openness and willingness to soar – it’s mesmerising in the muted, Venus-like light and seeing Stuart’s face lit up with the elation of self-induced freedom is an unforgettable moment in theatre.

You can run to see the show at The Jonesway Theatre until 19th February 2023. TICKETS

Keep up with The Fourth Wall on Facebook and @fourth_wall_media on Instagram to see what we’re up to this FRINGEWORD 2023.

The Fourth Wall acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land we engage in storytelling on – the Wadjhuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.

FRINGEWORLD 2023 | Japanese Worry by Takashi Wakasugi | 4.5 Stars

Review | Laura Money

Oh my goodness – if you haven’t seen Japanese comedian Takashi Wakasugi yet, then what are you waiting for? Stop reading this review and book your tickets! Ok, have you done that? Great – you’re in for a treat. Wakasugi is so funny! He has an offbeat style of humour that is deeply rooted in Japanese culture – hence the name Japanese Worry. Wakasugi assures us that Japanese worry is markedly different to any other kind of worry. It’s a deep overthinking of trivial things like being judged for buying caged eggs when all the free range ones have sold out. Or whether the tree that was turned into toilet paper perhaps had other paper aspirations, like the beautiful paper on a passport. Wakasugi’s approach to life is hilarious, he also happily makes fun of himself for constantly apologising to things like the plumbing on the third floor of his apartment complex and the Homebrand products that he uses to disguise his caged eggs in the shopping trolley.

Wakasugi has a casual yet restrained manic air to his delivery style. Part laconic, and part frenzied he immediately puts you at ease with his bizzare observations. I have never thought of vaping as a redundant option B to smoking before but there you go. His hilarious grappling with the English language points out how absolutely ridiculous it is – and the musings about elephant trunks and pizza sandwiches is an absolute riot. Japanese Worry is a gentle ribbing, an observational show with a twist and an affable, funny comedian. Wakasugi is not crude but his comedy is powerful and will have you a bit worried about weird things afterwards but that’s his charm.

You can find more things to worry about at The Laugh Resort, SHOE Bar until 19th February 2023. TICKETS

Keep up with The Fourth Wall on Facebook and @fourth_wall_media on Instagram to see what we’re up to this FRINGEWORD 2023.

The Fourth Wall acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land we engage in storytelling on – the Wadjhuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.

FRINGEWORLD 2023 | Werk It | 4 Stars

Review | Laura Money

You better work! And believe me, the crew from Circus Trick Tease absolutely do just that. They work you into a frenzy, they work at all their tricks but ultimately they Werk It as a brilliantly coordinated ensemble. Brainchild of Malia Walsh the whole thing leans in to different work culture and Aussie boganism. Bursting out onstage the five amazing acrobats have enough energy to power Perth for the whole festival! They start strong with a ‘werk out’ full 80s aerobics gear and high ponytails bouncing along with every impressive trick.

Strongwoman Cassia Jameison is impressively funny when juggling an office desk on her feet – the ‘at werk’ sketch is cheeky and there’s something oddly sexy about Jamieson bouncing the desk on her feet while in office attire. Next is the ‘men at werk’ section where hi vis and construction work rule. Walsh is the bogan Jesus, annointing the audience with Vegemite and scaling heights to reach a keg of beer. The whole aero routine is hilarious and jaw-dropping. Lisa Lottie brings her iconic hula hoop routine to the big top, perky and peppy in aerobics gear. Her skills are so strong you’ll lose count of how many hoops she’s swirling at any given time. Finally, Vincent van Berkel shows off his amazing juggling skills and stuns with a phenomenally hilarious trapeze act. Circus Trick Tease are a fun and talented circus crew who provide a bit of everything. They know how to entertain! Werk It is strongest when they work together and the sensationally swinging finale will keep you on the edge of your seat.

You can check out the Werk It crew at The Pleasure Garden until 19th February 2023. TICKETS

Keep up with The Fourth Wall on Facebook and @fourth_wall_media on Instagram to see what we’re up to this FRINGEWORD 2023.

The Fourth Wall acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land we engage in storytelling on – the Wadjhuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.