Mat Fraser and Julie Atlas Muz in Beauty and the Beast. Photo by Bronwen Sharp, Adelaide Festival of Arts.
Presented by ONEOFUS/Improbable
Reviewed 10 March 2015
How can you re-tell Beauty and the Beast, and why would it get an 18+ rating? These are questions I asked myself while waiting to see this production. The answer was surprising.
The cast was essentially telling two stories, the traditional fairytale and the personal story of Julie and Mat, at times very interwoven. Directed by Phelim McDermott, the show flows well and the set, designed by Philip Eddolls, works beautifully. All is complemented by Kevin Pollard’s clever costumes and the deftly handled sound and lights designed by Ed Clarke and Coin Grenfell.
This show is confronting on many levels. Don’t go if you can’t cope with full frontal nudity, watching handicapped (or as Mat says “cripple”) actors, or overt sexual references. On second thought, you should go – it might open your eyes and reduce your prejudices! Overall though, this show made me laugh, and maybe reassess some of my preconceived ideas.
The show begins with the beautiful Julie Atlas Muz setting the scene and introducing Mat Fraser, telling a little about their backgrounds. The telling of the fairytale begins traditionally with a shadow/puppet show and everyone gets comfortable and relaxed. Having learned that Julie is a Carnie from Coney Island and Mat is a thalidomide victim from Britain, they tell us how they met and intertwine the fairytale with their own story.
I am not going to reveal more of the plot, that wouldn’t be fair. I will tell you that with the help of their two sidekicks, Jess Mabel Jones and Jonny Dixon, they create some great theatre which includes puppets, costume changes, prosthetic arms and other props. The food scene is particularly disturbing and funny: food served on provocative platters, a sex scene where they don’t touch one another that turns into a food fight, etc.
The entire show is thought-provoking. It makes you laugh but what are you laughing at? Basically this is a fun show presented by four talented performers. Some will say it’s slightly pornographic, others will find it enlightening! Go and make up your own mind.
Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds
Rating out of 5: 4.5
Venue: Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: 10 – 15 March 2015
Duration: 80 mins
Tickets: $30-$59
Bookings: Book through the Adelaide Festival online or through BASS online, phone 131 246 (booking fees apply)
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