It’s back to the bizarre
King’s corruption on display in challenging 1800s drama
FULL Throttle Theatre’s return, POST-COVID, is a rather confronting production.
Alfred Jarry wrote and produced King Ubu in the late 1800s, so, although it has elements of absurdism and surrealism, it actually pre-dates those genres.
This is very much a farcical, slapstick romp that has little resemblance to real life and yet its satirical plot can be easily linked to current events.
The plot does get a little convoluted.
Pa Ubu is urged by his wife, Ma Ubu, to usurp the throne of Poland.
The current king is overthrown and murdered and the now King Ubu’s base instincts and corruption come to the fore as he increases his power through mass murder and crippling taxes.
He really is written as a disgusting individual.
The play appears to draw on themes from Shakespeare’s Macbeth
and to a lesser extent Hamlet.
There is even a bear, perhaps referencing A Winter’s Tale.
Todd Barty has, in his own inimitable style, adapted the original script, directed the play and taken the lead role of the King.
There is no one better qualified to assume all these roles and do them with such aplomb.
Playing his manipulative wife, much in the vein of Lady Macbeth with an exaggerated Madonna-style conical bra, Suzy Gilmour makes a welcome return to Townsville theatre.
Other cast members include Andrew Warren, Lucy Gounaris, Michael Rule, Annika Brice and veteran Jacinta Ryan, who, as always, gives a strong performance.
Many minor but still critical roles are played by Callum Fisher, Rose Maguire and Olivia Stafford.
The scenic artwork by Jeanette Hutchinson is well suited to the outdoor setting, and costuming by Loryn Rennie is bright and colourful.
It is almost a pity that the play is not suitable for children as it very close to pantomime, but its bad language and decidedly adult themes are assuredly not suitable for children.
Some cast had problems with projection of their voices that tended to disappear in the open-air setting, with an audience suitably socially distanced.
This is not everyone’s cup of tea. It is, quite frankly, bizarre. However, if you want to see some interesting theatre and up-andcoming young actors, it may be well worth your while. The first time King Ubu was performed in 1896, it caused a riot in its Parisienne theatre and was forced to close that same night.
I assure you that there was no riot on this opening night, simply an audience who may have been a little perplexed by the curtain call, but who all appeared to have had a most enjoyable evening.
>> King Ubu continues at The Perfumed Gardens on the corner of Walker and Stokes streets nightly this week until Sunday at 7pm, and then from Wednesday to Saturday next week. Bookings can be made at trybooking.com. Bring your own chairs or picnic blanket.