It's funny, but is it humerus?
From
the guys who brought us the independent smash hit The Suitors,
comes Vital Organs, a new black comedy that puts bodily
functions under the microscope. Watch with awe as Jack (Patrick
Brammall) and Peter (John Leary) painstakingly educate and entertain
us with musical renditions of the digestive system, dental hygiene
and a history lesson about medical experimentation with human
subjects, using atrocious French accents. There is also fluffy
toy brutality, fake blood and other excreta, real surgical instruments
and a sock puppet or two. I’m not sure what’s more
disturbing though – acting with a sock puppet, or acting
with a sock puppet and expecting it to answer back.
Brammall and Leary tear down the fourth wall in
what appears at first to be a severe case of stage fright, but
which turns into a clash of aesthetics (or should that be anaesthetics?)
between two artistes. Peter is the first to admit this is not
a highbrow theatrical production, but he draws the line (several,
actually) at Jack pursuing his version of artistic truth by removing
his stomach live on stage without a general anaesthetic.
But fear not, determined not to let Jack steal the
limelight or the show, Peter takes his fellow thespian in hand.
Through a serious of deftly comical and diabolical manipulations,
Peter somehow manages to keep Jack from using a scalpel on himself.
What develops from this conflict is some of the most outrageously
funny comedy I’ve seen all year. No, this is indeed not
highbrow theatre, but it tickles the funny bone as if it were
a bundle of nerve endings devoted exclusively to pleasure.
The fourth wall is so categorically torn down that
it invites audience participation. You may be encouraged to know
that these two professionals are more than capable of dealing
with hecklers or audience member with Tourette’s. They are
more than capable of retorting with razor sharp, witty comebacks
in response to unexpected audience interjections and beeping mobile
phones. The ad libs were some of the funniest bits of the night,
which is saying something considering the laughs were virtually
non-stop.
If you saw The Suitors, then you know you’re
going to be in for a treat with Vital Organs. If you
didn’t, then this is your chance to experience Brammall
and Leary in top form. Vital Organs is educational, inspirational,
titillating, scintillating and side-splittingly funny. John Leary
pops in and out of character with all the enthusiasm and anticipation
of a naughty little boy contemplating a bit of fun at someone
else’s expense. He only has to smile or tilt his head to
the side to make you laugh.
Patrick Brammall is fabulous as the austere artiste
who takes himself far too seriously. Such characters are born
to be the butt of all good jokes and Jack is no exception. Speaking
of posteriors, in one memorable scene Brammall appears on stage
in a silver unitard. It’s one of Sydney theatre’s
most memorable moments of 2007.
This is a visceral theatrical production featuring
cutting edge humour and incisive wit that’s all ass and
no class. It turns the traditional narrative model on its head,
as it prospects the rectum of storytelling without a latex glove.
Totally enjoyable. So was the play.
Philippa Wherrett
