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The Theory of Everything

There is no delusion as to what this performance is, and that is comedy.
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Photo by Dylan Evans.

‘From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of any particular interest. But for us, it’s different.’ Different is right, as that statement from Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot seems to resonate with eight actors as they condense 14 billion years of history into one hour of hilarious rapid fire (finger guns included) chaos. Cheeky and witty, the cast quickly makes it clear to the audience that this show has nothing to do with Stephen Hawking.

Thomas Quirk is brilliant in his delivery of this new work, and even his director’s note, while bizarre is equally entertaining and fitting to the theme of this production. Audience members find themselves immersed in a plot or at least something that may appear as a plot, listening to what seems to be a veritable Greek chorus of characters, each with their own quirks and personality. The actors also take on roles taken from history itself, including but not limited to Einstein, Aristotle, and Hitler. The performance itself is excellent and keeps the audience engaged by coming across as slightly eccentric while maintaining an air of relatability and familiarity.

The set is simple yet effective; containing little more than structured framing, industrial lights, and LED lighting, it worked to provide ample atmosphere without drawing away from the performance itself. Effective use of the entire space prevented dead zones from forming, always giving the audience something to look at no matter where their eyes may drift. Performances such as this, are great examples to young emerging artists on how to create effective ambiance without becoming either tacky or over-the-top. However, warning  to those with asthma as there is a smoke machine used at points in the performance which may cause mild discomfort.

The cast which delivers a rather interesting perspective on the history of the universe, certainly does its best to avoid coming off as simply a pretentious piece of theatre, and rightly manages to keep humour at the forefront of the performance often at their own expense. There is no delusion as to what this performance is, and that is comedy. The fast-paced delivery of lines, to the rapid yet entertaining scene changes, and modest use of costuming, this show is truly a must-see. It’s easy to see why this production is enjoying sold out performances, and it’s rightly deserved. If you are lucky enough to have secured a ticket, you won’t be disappointed.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

The Theory of Everything

Creator and Director Thomas Quirk
Creative Producer Nuala Furtado
Stage Manager Rebecca Lawes
Set and Costume Designer Yvette Turnbull
Lighting Designer Daniel Anderson
Sound Designer Wil Hughes
Design Assistant Hahnie Goldfinch
Cast Ellen Bailey, Thomas Bartsch, Katy Cotter, Chris Farrell, Coleman Grehan, Dale Thorburn, Merlynn Tong, Reuben Witsenhuysen

Presented in association with Metro Arts
Theatre Republic – La Boite Studio
15 – 19 SEPT 2015

Devon Cartwright
About the Author
Devon is a freelance theatre critic, director, and event manager based in Melbourne with network connections in Brisbane and Sydney, as well as internationally across Canada, the US, and Europe. He holds an Advanced Diploma in Music Theatre Performance from St Clair College in Windsor Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies from the Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Drama in London UK; in addition to this, he studied on exchange with the University of Windsor (Communications, Media & Film) and Griffith University (Contemporary & Applied Theatre). Devon has been involved in the operations of venues across Australia including the Brisbane Powerhouse, Redland Performing Arts Centre in Queensland, Gasworks Arts Park in Melbourne, and most notably with Cirque du Soleil during their 2016-2017 Australian tour of Kooza.