Too Rude Co-creators
and performers: Emma McManus, Maria White
Ralph Indie Program,
Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres
Ralph Wilson Theatre
to 20 May
Reviewed by Len Power
17 May 2018
‘Never Trust a Creative City’, part of the Ralph Indie
program, is described by its creators as ‘a response to the neoliberal forces
(re)shaping our cities in the present’.
Asking themselves how artists fit into this landscape, they became
interested in cultures of gentrification.
It didn’t take long for them to observe that artists who move in and make
a city more vibrant - which benefits developers and property owners - are soon
priced out of the area they helped to improve.
It all sounds a bit heavy but the co-creators, Two Rude,
have fashioned a wild and wacky ride through an artistic and gentrification
minefield which is very entertaining as well as thought-provoking.
The show commences with a ‘History Of All Time’, a 15 minute
slideshow summation of the arts from the beginning of the world, which is perceptive
and very funny. We realize what a major
role jellyfish have played in history, not to mention DJ Khaled, American DJ
and author.
Quickly moving on, the two performers make the observation
that ‘artists are the canary in the coalmine of gentrification’. In a hilarious sequence, they day-dream their
way through the issues that are concerning them, posing worrying questions and suggesting
radical solutions but then pointing out the flaws in each other’s
arguments. Important questions are
covered like, ‘How will we navigate through the world if it all looks the same
– Google Maps?’ and profound statements are made, such as ‘There’s only one
difference this year and that difference is drones’.
This is followed by a well-edited video sequence about the
issues raised and, having decided that ‘there’s nothing more marketable than a
dead artist’, they sell out and ‘Take the Money’. At that point, science fiction takes over and
they, of course, become jellyfish.
Co-creators and performers, Emma McManus and Maria White, display
great chemistry together onstage. They
are natural comedians with excellent timing and their show has been carefully
constructed to make a point but in a very entertaining fashion.
The show’s lighting has been well designed by Emma
Lockhart-Wilson. Tom Hogan’s sound
design adds nicely to the atmosphere and costume designer, Verity Mackey, has
produced the best jellyfish costumes I’ve ever seen.
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 18 May.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on his ‘On Stage’ performing arts radio program on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3.30pm on Artsound FM 92.7.