La Boite Theatre’s final mainstage offering for 2024, Yoga Play, examines the superficial side of the wellness industry through a sharp, satirical lens. Presented in collaboration with Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta, Yoga Play is a comedy by Dipika Guha that explores themes of identity, authenticity, and consumer culture.
Yoga Play centres on Joan, portrayed by Andrea Moor, the newly hired CEO of Jojomon. The struggling yoga apparel company is dealing with a PR crisis involving accusations of a culturally insensitive marketing scandal. In a bid to save the brand, Joan and her team devise a questionable plan. They decide to hire a fake Indian guru to ‘authenticate’ the brand’s identity and regain the trust of their customers.
Jemwel Danao brought warmth and humour to the role of Fred, a team member swept up in Joan’s high-stakes game. Opposite Danao was Nat Jobe as Raj, a loyal but conflicted employee also caught up in the increasingly absurd twists of Jojomon’s marketing ploy. Things became more and more ethically questionable as the play progressed and hilarity ensued.
One of the funniest scenes in the play occurred in Act Two when Fred was cornered into ‘translating’ a language he had no idea how to speak. It was a move designed to fool the clueless LA yoga instructor Romola, played by a mesmerising Camila Ponte Alvarez. In turn, Jobe was at his funniest in the climactic scene via ‘Zoom’ when his character was utterly cornered, and his façade was almost blown. Jobe’s desperate facial expressions were particularly good. Rounding out the cast was Thomas Larkin, playing both the quirky company owner John and the Indian guru who was not what he seemed to be. Larkin had a great stage presence, and his accent work was excellent.
Given the absurd nature of the script, some suspension of disbelief was required. But anyone who has experienced working for a cult-like company may find the material, in a way, painfully close to the truth.
Sets and costumes, designed by James Lew, worked well to capture the sleek, minimalist aesthetic associated with high-end wellness brands. Mark Bolotin’s multimedia designs were clever and realistically enhanced the modern-day office.
Yoga Play humorously tackled issues of cultural appropriation, corporate ethics, and the absurd lengths companies sometimes go to maintain a marketable image. Although the play could have done with a little trimming, Guha’s writing was funny and thought-provoking. Yoga Play is sure to leave audiences questioning the nature of ‘authenticity’ in a commodified world.
Yoga Play is on at the Roundhouse Theatre at La Boite until 23 November 2024
Sarah Skubala
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Caesar (La Boite Theatre Company) – Theatre Review
- Neon Tiger (La Boite) – theatre review
- Single Asian Female (La Boite Theatre Company) – Theatre Review
Sarah Skubala is a freelance writer and has lived in Highgate Hill for several years. Originally from Adelaide, Sarah has a background in library work and musical publicity. She co-executive produced the award winning short film Down To Earth and has written a comedy short screenplay. She is currently working on a web series and a novella. Sarah is a fixture in West End and can be found wherever there is good coffee and cheap books.
