Image via MICF
Trygve Wakenshaw is one of the funniest performers you will see in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, or anywhere at all for that matter. His comedy style revolves around physical theatre, creating wacky and wonderful scenes without the necessity of props, lights and music, and most importantly, words. His energy is contagious, his imagination is unfathomable, and the entirety of his performance can basically be described in one word: madness.
Colourful, hysterical, enthralling madness.
His latest creation, Nautilus, has much to follow on from after the successes of previous award-winning shows Kraken and Squidboy, and it certainly does not disappoint. The first five minutes alone creates an internal confusion in the heads of observers: ‘What on earth am I watching and why am I finding this so funny?’ This is a sentiment that can be applied to many segments in this strangely charming hour and a half of utter insanity, and one that will never actually be answered.
Nautilus opens with Wakenshaw sitting awkwardly in a rubbish bin, his backside clearly stuck inside with no indication of an easy escape. His hands and feet are bandaged, the upper half of his face is painted white, and he is wearing what appears to be a tight bright purple pair of riding pants. Once he finally wrenches himself free from the bin, Wakenshaw proceeds to launch himself into a series of silent, intertwined vignettes, generating uncontrollable belly laughs and tear-streaked faces. His ability to silently transform himself into not only human characters, but also animals and inanimate objects, is beyond impressive. Fairy tale characters, backup singers, an entire jazz band, a cat, a cow, a sexy chicken, and even the sun are brought to life on stage, each with complete personalities, and each completely hilarious.
To create elaborate scenes without props and with minimal words is beyond amazing; empty space has never been more full. It is impossible to tell what is rehearsed and what is entirely improvised. Once Nautilus ended, not a single person in the audience wanted to get up and leave. Everyone waited eagerly to see what Wakenshaw would do next. He incorporated the audience into several scenes, and it was fascinating to see what people were willing to do to maintain the madness. Be prepared to get involved.
It is difficult to select a highlight from a performance that is riddled with memorable material. The tragic story between Rapunzel and her prince is shockingly hilarious, and a grotesque striptease that goes further than simply removing items of clothing is just as disturbing. The only real drawback is how exhausting it is to sit and watch this production. Everyone seemed to want Wakenshaw to continue his never ending streak of entertainment all night long, but after an hour has passed, the pain caused from constant concentration and body-shaking laughter does get genuinely intense.
It is not hard to see why Wakenshaw is gaining somewhat of a cult fan following. His unique style of comedy is almost impossible to dislike, and aside from the comedic aspect to his performance, his pure theatrical talent is awe-inspiring. Wakenshaw is elastic, electric and surreal, and would no doubt be unbeatable in a game of charades. Nautilus is absolutely not to be missed.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Nautilus
By Trygve Wakenshaw
Tuxedo Cat, Melbourne
25 March – 19 April
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
www.comedyfestival.com.au
25 March – 19 April
