Tomas Ford vs. The Audience ??

Fri, 27 Oct 2006, 09:32 am

‘Tomas Ford vs. The Audience’ is in association with ARTRAGE and Weeping Spoon Productions. The show starts at 10.00 pm each evening at the Blue Room until 4^th November. With the previous show finishing just before nine, then a 9 or 9.30 would have been a better start time.

Before entering the grunge club, each member of the audience is asked to sign a waiver that they will not leave before the end (this did not stop one member) and would not object to being degraded. They then had to dress in boiler suits for protection. The expectation of what was to follow was far greater than the reward.
            The set was that of an old cellar with a smoke machine, bubble machine and strobe lights. The monster, Tomas Ford (very reminiscent of Adam Ant), was released from his cage. He sang several numbers whilst gyrating around and annoying the audience, but the ‘versus’ suggested that there would be clever banter. There was virtually no spoken word, and that which was spoken, was distorted by his effects microphone used for his singing.
            There is no doubt that Tomas (a really pleasant chap) can sing, and could probably make a living as a pop performer. He sang in styles from Sid Vicious to Roxy Music’s Brian Ferry, but the initial novelty soon died off as Ford continued to embarrass himself, rather than the audience.
            Ford has proved that he can do first rate monologues and sing, I just hope that he finds his niche and gets a break. Disappointed.

I left early but too late.

Mon, 30 Oct 2006, 12:47 pm

Walter Plinge

Do reviewers always come on the "bad night"? I didn't mind the 10pm start. I just minded everything from 10.05 onwards. Other than the show-time comment, I agree with Gordon's review. Well, he's a bit generous really. I was there the same night. OK, so the wrong backing tracks came on. What were the other bad theatre mojos, other than the show itself? It's not a function of age. (I'm younger than Gordon but older than Adam Mitchell.) I jumped up and grooved to Livi's XANADU. But I walked out before the end, having stayed too long. And the 20 year old in the audience beside me told me exactly how bad she thought it was. That’s part of the problem â€“ Tomas actually doesn’t allow the audience its side of the confrontation, except to leave. So now I have my say. It's not just for the adventurous, nor is it irreverent or adventurous itself. Just boring. And not thought-through, nor well-scripted nor directed at all. The only confronting aspect is that some people pay money. I thank the Blue Room that I didn't (and neither did Adam). Tomas's use of the word "absolutely" about his first two audiences is not accurate. I 'shared' with some less-than-ecstatic opening nighters yesterday. But maybe there was a certain mob enthusiasm. So perhaps Tomas should shorten the show to keep the time / audience ratio at 1.5 minutes. Eg, 40 people: 60 minutes; 8 people the night with Gordon and me: 12 minutes. In response to Daniel Kershaw, I think the show demonstrates that it's TOO EASY to get a show on in Perth, especially at the Blue Room. In Sydney or Melbourne, this would be a lunchtime show for one of the university drama groups, or part of an open night at The Performance Space. Put in that context, its derivative concept and uninspired execution would be obvious. As I pointed out to "the bouncer", the Sydney Front was confronting audiences with waivers, prescribed audience costumes, groping and sex-toys in the late 80s and early 90s at the Performance space. They did it much better than Tomas but, even so, their ‘confronting’ tricks quickly became predictable and boring. Tomas could read this page about the short-lived career of the original audience confronter, Tristan Tzara in 1919: http://www.tranquileye.com/theatre/dada_theatre.html Tzara’s description of why art needed an operation (ninety years ago) is an apt description of this show: Art is a PRETENSION warmed by the TIMIDITY of the urinary basin, the hysteria born in THE STUDIO.

Thread (6 posts)

Threaded Flat

Tomas Ford vs. The Audience ??— Gordon the Optom27 Oct 2006

A Wee Note— Walter Plinge27 Oct 2006
looking for a niche?— Adam Mitchell27 Oct 2006
I am just shocked good ol'— Daniel Kershaw27 Oct 2006
- I am not entirely sure he— Adam Mitchell28 Oct 2006
I left early but too late.— Walter Plinge30 Oct 2006

← Back to Theatre Reviews