SYDNEY MORNING HERALD - SATURDAY 14TH JUNE 2008COMEDY

POSSESSED

Sydney Opera House, June 12-29
Reviewed by Stephen Dunne

IN HIS new solo comedy show Frank Woodley is a slightly sad stay-at-home loner with an interest in model ships.

For reasons not entirely clear, he’s somehow possessed by a seductive Irish woman, and various plot points may or may not have to be reached in order to put this universe right.  A rather emphysemic sea captain also features to occasion further silliness and use some lovely projected animations (with illustrations by John Zurbo).

Of course, none of this matters at all.  Woodley’s narrative is a super structure allowing maximum expression of his superb physical comedy, plus a variety of comic voices and moments of breaking frame by talking to the audience.

His character, and environment, are reminiscent of the late French master Jaques Tati, especially the later Tati of films such as Mon Uncle and Playtime.  Woodley’s character shares a similarly troubled relationship to the design and artefacts of modern life and domestic existence (design by Christina Smith).

He is brilliantly skilled and very, very funny, and the performance has that lovely effect of making the very hard and very rehearsed look nonchalantly easy.  It takes real work to safely fall like a prat, and the show is full of moments that should not be tried at home.

It’s directed by Kate Denborough, with good underscoring music from Paul Mac.  Despite the narrative framework there’s a strong sense that no two shows will ever be the same.  Indeed, on opening night, Woodley triumphed over some dodgy technical moments with an ease of improvisation (and a nice line in self-deprecation) that provided some of the funniest moments.  Unless, as he claimed, they were all intentional.  Either way, it didn’t matter in the face of this entertaining little pleasure.

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