Glam caught up with Thomas Monckton, star of eccentric production, The Pianist which is getting rave reviews.
GLAM: It goes without saying your show diverts from a “standard piano recital.” What is the premise of the show?
THOMAS: A piano recital gone so wrong it turns surreal.
GLAM: What was the genesis of the show’s concept?
THOMAS: That time I was the only person in an audience of 2000 to clap after a movement by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. You don’t clap between movements.
GLAM: Your work seems like it may be influenced by classical early 20th century comedians. What stars have been the biggest influence on your comedic style.
THOMAS: According to The Circus Diaries, The Pianist is “… the socially outcast reclusive love child of Rik Mayall and Mr Bean.” Which doesn’t conjure up the most attractive of images but nevertheless helps to describe the style.
When I was a young kid I listened to tapes of old British radio comedies. I could recite them verbatim I listened to them so much but somewhere along the line I lost interest in the words and become more interested in the images and scenarios they conjured up in my head. When I started making acts when I was about 17 years old I was influence by Rowan Atkinson’s stupidity with Mr. Bean, John Cleese’s outrageous anger with Basil, and Slava Polunin’s technique in Slava’s Snowshow.
GLAM: Your show looks like it’s quite physical and dramatic. Does this style of comedy use up a lot of energy and are you exhausted after each performance?
THOMAS: Yes. If I was a fossil fuel the show would be BP.
GLAM: The show seems to verge on being physical
THOMAS: There is no verge. It’s 100% physical pavement.
GLAM: Without giving away too much, what can audiences expect from this show?
THOMAS: Action, romance, a piano, and a matador.
Showing at the Royal Croquet Club from 13 Feburary til 5 March 2016.
Tickets at: https://www.adelaidefringe.com.au
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