By George Dixon
High octane, High energy with heaps of fun, That’s the best way to describe Hot Lunch’s latest production One of These Things First.
Hot Lunch is becoming one of Australians much loved theatre companies. With a nucleus of three dynamic and talented artists, they are certainly punching way above their weight.
There is a freshness to the work and concepts, as they take a single notion and play with it to their and the audience’s delight. From the serious to the sublime, these creatives draw out the very essence of the construct to lay it open for the audience to easily identify and laugh at, while nodding their heads in agreement.
This one-hour production is packed with sixty-five minutes of non-stop entertainment. Their energy values are breathtaking, and it is clear that they are having as much fun as the audience. Their exuberance is such that they could continue on and on – except for Tom – who at times is driven to a point of having to work double time, now, that you have to see!
With One of These Things First, the show grows from a simple common reality or outlook the performance based on the question:
“When you were younger, what did you want to be? With the follow-up question “, What are you Now?”
The audience is invited to participate casually. As you enter, you are presented with that question with the appropriate blanks for you to fill in.First Name ….. When I was younger, I wanted to be ……… And I am now ……
The very typical answers are played out in delightful skits: The Ballerina, Rock Star, someone who decides to buy a set of drums with absolutely zero experience or knowledge of how to play.
One of the highlights is the typical Cowboy in a standoff. Who is going to draw first? In the background, we are given a typical Spaghetti Western by the master of such things, Clint Eastwood.
There are no words, only the background music, the amazing close-up shots of their eyes, first Clint, then the villain, then another villain, then Clint. So, who’s going to blink? Who’s going to draw? All while the scene is being played out on the stage. It is one of the most serious yet funny segments.
Another aspect of audience participation is rapid theatre sports style guessing the occupations acted out based on the audience response cards.
One of the delightful signatures of Hot Lunch is a messy stage. In fact, with this production, the stage becomes so messy with all the action, props and cards, that the stage needs to be cleared halfway through. Now, isn’t a messy floor a sign of a great party, especially when you’re having a fantastic time?
This production left audience members feeling fully entertained and satisfied.
Congratulations to the Creatives:
Performers/Creators: Delta Brooks. Rebekah Carton. Tom Richards. Sound/Lighting and Stage Management: Brenton Ryan.Dramaturgical Consultant: George Lazaris.
