Matt Byrne Media. Maxim's Wine Bar. 15 Feb 2018
No houses were sold in the making of this production, but they sold me.
I don't know about you but I put real estate agents right in there with bankers and used car salesmen when it comes to telling porky pies. Residential property ownership has been a hot topic in the news all last year with concerns about the double whammy of unaffordable prices, and higher interest rates on over-leveraged mortgages. Plus the current Federal inquiry into banking is investigating shonky loan practice. So there is plenty of material here for Matt Byrne's perennial Adelaide Fringe contribution at Maxim's Wine Bar in Norwood.
Hott Property follows a format created by Byrne that has proven attractive to Adelaide's mature audiences: something akin to TV skit comedy and theatrical review. Whether the focus is on professions (teachers in Chalkies, 2008 and the cops in P.I.G.S. in 2012), TV shows (Chunderbelly, 2015 and The Luv Boat, 2016), or social issues (Bogans in 2013 and dateless.com in 2014), Matt and three other entertainers roast and toast the subject matter with jokes, characterisations, songs, dance shuffle and audience participation.
Leaving the TV shows aside, Byrne satirises the professional and social stereotypes with great affection as they are the unsung heroes in the public service, and people we know and love respectively. But nobody I know is in love with real estate agents and lenders, and Byrne is humorously merciless with the worst of their dishonesty and shallowness. Byrne's serious agenda was revealed in his monologue comprising an impassioned plea for fairness in housing availability, and a regret that the next generation is unlikely to afford the backyard childhood that he enjoyed.
As he entered the arena, I was immediately impressed with the veracity of Brad Butvila's stage persona, only to find out he really is in the business. Indeed, he is credited with giving a sense of authenticity to the show, such as his Terry Trott explaining how the game works by saying, "everybody is lying to everybody," including the house hunters and vendors. He is a fine contributor to the shenanigans. Amber Platton has plenty of stage stamina - a real professional - skills likely honed during her stint at Disneyland in LA. Even while dressed like she's selling a lot more than real estate, it's her ever-present smile and constant dedication to character that stands out. Theresa Dolman is more experienced with Byrne's review productions having first participated in Shakers (bartenders) in 1999. Dolman has a great skill in bringing you into her character's world with empathetic gravitas. But it is Matt Byrne who dominates the comedy and corny lines through delivery or script. His telephone conversation - clicking rapidly between a hoodwinked buyer and a misled seller - was absolutely priceless, and at the same time, frightening in plausibility. He is the Bob Hope of our time and place. The cast present a cavalcade of characters - some hopelessly stereotypical, some fetching and worthy. But it's the absolute pace of comic material ranging from belly laughable to groan to PC Light that keeps you in the game.
Another arrow flung from the bow of Robin Hood Byrne and directly on target. Urrgh! Splat! Right between the mobile phone in one hand and the zirconium pinky ring on the other.
David Grybowski
3.5 stars
When: 14 February to 17 March
Where: Maxim's Wine Bar, 194a The Parade, Norwood
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au and mattbyrnemedia.com.au
