Adelaide Fringe. Kevin Crease Studio Live from Channel Nine. 8 Mar 2014
Those who supported five.point,one through Pozible may ruffle their feathers with pride. Our young Adelaide company has done the city and the online funding system proud.
‘Notoriously Yours’ is an exciting piece of theatre.
It is brave and right on the zeitgeist of popular technology.
Who knew there were so many stagecraft applications for the mobile phone? Instant video projections, mirror, tape recorder, car headlights...
‘Notoriously Yours’ has been written and directed by Van Badham with the support of a tight and talented five.point.one team.
It is a thriller.
It is vivid in black and white - that being presented by the tight suits of the men in ties and the striking off-the-shoulder polka dot costume of the one female. Set against a big white screen, every scene creates aesthetics of black and white, be it tableaux and shadow play or giant video images.
It is a work of outstanding design values.
The narrative follows a libidinous Croatian Australian girl who hooks up with a hacker on an online dating site. But the game of anonymous sex is subverted by national surveillance and she is swept into a complex and intimidating scenario of spies, politics and national security.
Van Badham keeps the action sharp and snappy. It is one of those "where-did-the-time-go?" shows. One forgets that the seats are uncomfortable and could not care if one is hot or cold. The play is the thing.
The actors have already made their mark in Adelaide theatre and here they simply show why they always get good reviews. Matt Crook finds a delicate balance between being a ruthlessly purposeful spy and someone falling in love with the plant. Craig Behenna swings convincingly between poker-faced spy and jealous gun-runner. Brad Williams ably embodies sinister brother and sinister sex partner as well as sinister spy. An ill-fiting shirt is surprisingly effective in helping to establish character. Indeed, the costuming is terrific. As is the performance of Claire Glenn as "Her" - the central character whose night of lust turns into a very dangerous adventure.
There are shades of Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, there are hints of Tom Clancy, John Le Carre and even Orson Welles. And yet, with all its retro references, it is about as today as superstar selfies - but with a lot more future.
It also proves that very good things are Pozible.
Samela Harris
When: 8 to 12 Mar
Where: Kevin Crease Studio Live from Channel Nine
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
