Domestic Bliss (Melbourne)
Mon, 27 Sept 2004, 08:43 amDavid Ryding14 posts in thread
Domestic Bliss (Melbourne)
Mon, 27 Sept 2004, 08:43 amOkay, so its a retyped review from a newspaper here in Melbourne but it's the Melbourne Fringe with over 250 shows. You do whatever you can.
At least we didn't write a our own review.
From an audience point of view, it takes a brave actor to star in a one-man show. In this Melbourne Fringe Festival play, Lockwood portrays hapless haberdashery shop worker Chris Domestic Bliss whose life turns on his head on his 25th Birthday
Proving his comedic gift, Lockwood also plays ChrisÂ’s blokey dad, his Ronn Moss loving horny housewife mum, drug addled girlfriend and rough as guts bets mate, as well as a few cameo characters thrown in.
The fact Lockwood also wrote the script explains why the performance is so tight and fast paced
Domestic Bliss has much more hits than misses, with witty one liners, clever interplay and Kath and Kim-esque comedy about life in the suburbs. There's also a few dark and tender moments so it's not slapstick all the way
The play is performed in a 600-bed backpackerÂ’s hostel so you could make friends in the audience.
Tickets are $10"
Megan Miller
MX
Shameless promotion section
Cinema @ Hotel Bakpak
147 Franklin St Melbourne
all shows at 6:30pm and a cheaper than a service wash $10!
Tickets; 8421 8777 or at the door
Written and performed by Damon Lockwood
Directed by David Ryding
Domestic Bliss urges you to remember families aren't just for Christmas
At least we didn't write a our own review.
From an audience point of view, it takes a brave actor to star in a one-man show. In this Melbourne Fringe Festival play, Lockwood portrays hapless haberdashery shop worker Chris Domestic Bliss whose life turns on his head on his 25th Birthday
Proving his comedic gift, Lockwood also plays ChrisÂ’s blokey dad, his Ronn Moss loving horny housewife mum, drug addled girlfriend and rough as guts bets mate, as well as a few cameo characters thrown in.
The fact Lockwood also wrote the script explains why the performance is so tight and fast paced
Domestic Bliss has much more hits than misses, with witty one liners, clever interplay and Kath and Kim-esque comedy about life in the suburbs. There's also a few dark and tender moments so it's not slapstick all the way
The play is performed in a 600-bed backpackerÂ’s hostel so you could make friends in the audience.
Tickets are $10"
Megan Miller
MX
Shameless promotion section
Cinema @ Hotel Bakpak
147 Franklin St Melbourne
all shows at 6:30pm and a cheaper than a service wash $10!
Tickets; 8421 8777 or at the door
Written and performed by Damon Lockwood
Directed by David Ryding
Domestic Bliss urges you to remember families aren't just for Christmas
Re: Domestic Bliss (Melbourne)
Fri, 8 Oct 2004, 01:00 pmReprinted from the Buzzcuts review by James Frayne
Damon Lockwood's one-man show needs a larger audience. The only real flaw was this performance seemed wasted on nine people. Lockwood could easily entertain a full theatre with this show and is limited by Hotel Bakpak's inadequate tininess. Lockwood must have immersed himself with Paul Jennings' stories evident with the four different characters, Chris, Kerry (dad) Anna (mum) Domestic Bliss (yes that's their surname), and Dion his best 'friend' and next-door neighbour.
The genuine feel of the characters is testament to Lockwood's obvious talent for emulating very different personalities with a consistent theme of repulsiveness. Chris is the main protagonist, a boring loser who uses his vulnerability to invite the audience into an hour-long tale. He is the most normal and accessible character and narrates effectively, with an idiosyncratic geekiness that entertains and doesn't suffocate. The plot progresses briskly with occasional character constructing sojourns that mesh their messy stories together. Chris' girlfriend 'Sweetie' assumes a Marice role ala Frasier, Kerry is the negligent father who adds a few twists of his own to the plot, as does the vain housewife Anna. In fact, by the end Chris becomes a spectator as revelations about their collective past overwhelm, but also resolve the suspenseful question raised by Chris at the beginning.
It would be tempting for the class conscious to accuse Lockwood of playing to working class stereotypes, but performed in such a relentlessly funny manner one doesn't have time to be offended. There is an ironic presentation of these clichés that renders them absurd (so it's okay to laugh). Chris is quite aware there is an audience with a few technical gags that remind us we're seeing an ironic and satirical performance.
The characters would probably become irritating without the suspense and constant plot/character twists which keep things interesting, so it's best not to reveal too much of the plot. There is little room to criticise this performance, as it is tight, quick and disarming both with the intelligent version of adolescent humour and the innate tragedy of Chris' story. Most importantly however, this performance is hilarious and a must see. But hurry as the venue is small (intimate) and there are only a few precious days of the Fringe Festival remaining.
Last night tonight Friday the 8th of October
Damon Lockwood's one-man show needs a larger audience. The only real flaw was this performance seemed wasted on nine people. Lockwood could easily entertain a full theatre with this show and is limited by Hotel Bakpak's inadequate tininess. Lockwood must have immersed himself with Paul Jennings' stories evident with the four different characters, Chris, Kerry (dad) Anna (mum) Domestic Bliss (yes that's their surname), and Dion his best 'friend' and next-door neighbour.
The genuine feel of the characters is testament to Lockwood's obvious talent for emulating very different personalities with a consistent theme of repulsiveness. Chris is the main protagonist, a boring loser who uses his vulnerability to invite the audience into an hour-long tale. He is the most normal and accessible character and narrates effectively, with an idiosyncratic geekiness that entertains and doesn't suffocate. The plot progresses briskly with occasional character constructing sojourns that mesh their messy stories together. Chris' girlfriend 'Sweetie' assumes a Marice role ala Frasier, Kerry is the negligent father who adds a few twists of his own to the plot, as does the vain housewife Anna. In fact, by the end Chris becomes a spectator as revelations about their collective past overwhelm, but also resolve the suspenseful question raised by Chris at the beginning.
It would be tempting for the class conscious to accuse Lockwood of playing to working class stereotypes, but performed in such a relentlessly funny manner one doesn't have time to be offended. There is an ironic presentation of these clichés that renders them absurd (so it's okay to laugh). Chris is quite aware there is an audience with a few technical gags that remind us we're seeing an ironic and satirical performance.
The characters would probably become irritating without the suspense and constant plot/character twists which keep things interesting, so it's best not to reveal too much of the plot. There is little room to criticise this performance, as it is tight, quick and disarming both with the intelligent version of adolescent humour and the innate tragedy of Chris' story. Most importantly however, this performance is hilarious and a must see. But hurry as the venue is small (intimate) and there are only a few precious days of the Fringe Festival remaining.
Last night tonight Friday the 8th of October
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