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Ubu Roi *****

Mon, 3 Apr 2006, 10:20 pm
Gordon the Optom5 posts in thread
A play named ‘Ubu Roi’ does little to raise the interest theatregoers. When one hears that it is the struggle of a Polish citizen to gain the throne, then eyes start to glaze over.

However don’t be fooled, this is the funniest play that I have seen in many years.

If you can imagine Ric Mayall and his friends from ‘Bottom’ or the ‘Young ones’ doing a Greek tragedy then you will be starting to get the gist of the production.

Walter Hanna is the cruel Pa Ubu, a power mad fool who wishes to be rich and regal. He has to be seen to be believed. His performance is worthy of an award. He is brilliantly supported by his long suffering wife, Ma Ubu (Bec Bignall) who has plans of her own for power. A great cast.

The entrances and exits are manic. Directed by Christian Bradshaw, the action for the full 90 minutes of the show gave non-stop amazement. You will witness a fight with a real Russian bear. See Ubu gallop off on his sturdy steed. Witness his challenges with the church and his government ministers. Gasp as 200 Poles fight 200 Russians before your very eyes! Will he succeed in his plot for power?

From the opening seconds everyone in the audience was sore with laughing and gasped at some of the inane action. Not for the feint-hearted.

Technically a nightmare to produce, but the use of lighting and props were hilarious.

Don’t miss this show, it is at the Bakery in Northbridge until Saturday 8th April

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Thread (5 posts)

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Gordon the OptomMon, 3 Apr 2006, 10:20 pm
A play named ‘Ubu Roi’ does little to raise the interest theatregoers. When one hears that it is the struggle of a Polish citizen to gain the throne, then eyes start to glaze over.

However don’t be fooled, this is the funniest play that I have seen in many years.

If you can imagine Ric Mayall and his friends from ‘Bottom’ or the ‘Young ones’ doing a Greek tragedy then you will be starting to get the gist of the production.

Walter Hanna is the cruel Pa Ubu, a power mad fool who wishes to be rich and regal. He has to be seen to be believed. His performance is worthy of an award. He is brilliantly supported by his long suffering wife, Ma Ubu (Bec Bignall) who has plans of her own for power. A great cast.

The entrances and exits are manic. Directed by Christian Bradshaw, the action for the full 90 minutes of the show gave non-stop amazement. You will witness a fight with a real Russian bear. See Ubu gallop off on his sturdy steed. Witness his challenges with the church and his government ministers. Gasp as 200 Poles fight 200 Russians before your very eyes! Will he succeed in his plot for power?

From the opening seconds everyone in the audience was sore with laughing and gasped at some of the inane action. Not for the feint-hearted.

Technically a nightmare to produce, but the use of lighting and props were hilarious.

Don’t miss this show, it is at the Bakery in Northbridge until Saturday 8th April

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sarahvFri, 7 Apr 2006, 08:49 pm

Ubu Roi ***** (and then some)

I saw this show last night and, boy, does it take a lot out you! I was exhausted just being in the audience, so I can't begin to fathom what the actors go through each night. So brilliantly energetic and fast-paced; the perfect way to carry off that kind of controlled chaos. Much much much praise to go to Walter Hanna and Bec Bignall for their outstanding lead performances. They were perfectly cast. Praise also to Christian Bradshaw for such a great directorial use of stage space. I would also like to make mention of how adorable (and yet fitting) Sophie Ntoumenopoulos was as Buggerlaus. Thank you cast and crew of Ubu Roi for a great night of entertainment.
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KirileeSun, 9 Apr 2006, 09:38 am

I went and saw Ubu Roi on

I went and saw Ubu Roi on Tuesday night with 5 other friends from Uni. We sat very close to the stage and whoa... it was amazing. We had studied Ubu Roi a little, but seeing it come to life was one of the funniest things I had seen in quite a while. A play with beautiful trashy language, fights, a brawl, and wonderful characters. Think, Macbeth meets Monty Python. And to think it was written in the late 19th century! A huge hand to Ma Ubu, Pa Ubu, and the captain and quick-to-be-killed-for-too-trusting king. BTW, the massacures of the aristocrats, judges etc. was fantastic! Great show!
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KirileeSun, 9 Apr 2006, 09:38 am

I went and saw Ubu Roi on

I went and saw Ubu Roi on Tuesday night with 5 other friends from Uni. We sat very close to the stage and whoa... it was amazing. We had studied Ubu Roi a little, but seeing it come to life was one of the funniest things I had seen in quite a while. A play with beautiful trashy language, fights, a brawl, and wonderful characters. Think, Macbeth meets Monty Python. And to think it was written in the late 19th century! A huge hand to Ma Ubu, Pa Ubu, and the captain and quick-to-be-killed-for-too-trusting king. BTW, the massacures of the aristocrats, judges etc. was fantastic! Great show!
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Walter PlingeSun, 9 Apr 2006, 02:17 pm

ubu roi

I thought this play was extremely well acted. The leads had amazing energy and presence! Actually quite thought-provoking when you realise you are falling off your chair laughing at the gruesome and macabre methods of despatching nobles or the domestic violence etc. May the cast and crew go on to new horizons. Great entertaiment
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