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| Shaun Parker and Lucia Mastrantone in "Blue Love" |
Directed,
Written, Designed and choreographed by Shaun Parker
Presented by
Shaun Parker and Company
The
Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre 16th & 17th August
2017
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
Defying
categorisation, but deliciously subversive and irresistibly entertaining, this cleverly
devised work began life as a diversion to fill in time during breaks in the
filming of Baz Luhmann’s Moulin Rouge. At the time Shaun Parker was performing in Moulin Rouge as a tango dancer. Originally conceived with performer, Jo Stone,
Parker’s experiments morphed into award winning dance films, then finally, this
stage version, which has been performed widely in Europe and Australia.
Incorporating
the films blended with physical theatre, dialogue and dance, Blue Love is a quirky, character based
work, which cleverly satirises the pop culture clichés of modern romance and
suburbia.
Performed by
Parker and Lucia Mastrantone, in the guise of Glenn and Rhonda Flune, two
characters who may well have been neighbours of Kath and Kim, Blue Love commences with the audience being
plied with beer and popcorn by Glenn and Rhonda, and welcomed them to their
trendy lounge room (or as they describe it – love arena) to share the secrets
of their “perfect marriage”.
No cliché is
left unexplored during this eye-opening sharing. To a very funny narration
liberally sprinkled with mispronounced Italian, French and who-knows-what, their
guests are treated to home truths, home movies (reviewed by David and Margaret
no less), a Norman Lindsay party, the decorum of which is threatened when
Rhonda spitefully picks at the artfully placed bunch of grapes protecting
Glenn’s modesty, and an hilarious argument using lyrics from well-known 80’s
pop songs.
Memorable episodes
include clever physical comedy involving an amazing pas de deux in which a
seemingly boneless Rhonda is tossed around by Glen, and an eye-watering routine
performed while both simultaneously execute push-ups.
Constantly
surprising, clever and entertaining, Blue
Love may not solve your romantic problems but it will undoubtedly prove the
perfect antidote to a dull day in the office.
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| Shaun Parker and Lucia Mastrantone in "Blue Love" |
Photos by David McCarthy
This review first published in Australian Arts Review. www.artsreview.com.au
.