Devised and performed
by Damian Callinan
Cinematographer &
editor: John Cherry
Producer: Hey Boss
Q Theatre, Queanbeyan
19 August
Reviewed by Len Power
‘Town Folk’ is a
wickedly funny and clever concept. Based
on surveys sent out to the community prior to the performance, the ‘Town Folk’
team identify subjects for the show and, in the week prior to the performance,
capture local identities and well-known locations on camera as well. The result gives us the opportunity to look
at our everyday lives in a way we can’t see ourselves. It’s gently satirical and very amusing.
Devised and performed by comedian Damian Callinan, the show made
Queanbeyan much more interesting than we Canberrans would ever have thought possible. Even for native Queanbeyanners!
Starting with a slide show, local monuments and locations became
somewhat less boring with a bit of wacky photoshopping. Nichole Overall’s ‘Mysterious Queanbeyan By
Moonlight’ tour was delightfully ruined by Damian in a clever film by his skilful
cinematographer and editor, John Cherry.
Then, in another very funny film sequence, Damian proved that the locals
will go out of their way to help strangers, even at appalling cost to
themselves.
The audience was also given the opportunity to compare and vote
on the best and worst of both Queanbeyan and Palerang Council’s landmarks in
Braidwood and Bungendore and, trying to be helpful, Damian gave the audience a
chance to come up with a better Queanbeyan town slogan, none of which should
ever be heard of in the future.
On film again, Damian offered his rather unhelpful coaching
expertise to the Queanbeyan Tigers football group and he demonstrated that the Queanbeyan
Macedonian Dance Group could get along very well without him. The show finished with ‘Quizbeyan’ in which
two locals competed on stage to answer loaded questions about local history and
geography.
Damian Callinan is a very funny and clever performer with a
pleasing down to earth personality. He might
be working to a formula for this show but the material he presents is new and
untested in each location where he performs.
He also has to get his audience warmed up and happy to interact with him
very quickly. It might look easy, but it
takes a lot of skill to be able to do this successfully. His show was hugely enjoyable.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7’s ‘Artcetera’ program (9.00am Saturdays)
and on other selected Artsound programs.