'Question Time'

Review by Stephanie Johnson, Adelaide Theatre Guide

"King Johnny" is a fresh and frenetic political spoof somewhat reminiscent of "The Chaser", the satirical team behind tv's CNNNN series.

Like "The Chaser" this cutting edge comedy sometimes flies in the face of good taste. It is difficult to know whether to laugh or gasp in this timely send-up of John Howard and the current political climate.

Writer and director Ross Vosvotekas has created an original commedia dell'arte that is sometimes silly and often cutting and insightful. The current Howard government has provided plenty of grist for the parody mill. Apologies, reconciliation, GST, the national anthem, the environment and even Steve Irwin all come under fire.

King Johnny (Jarrod Fitch) sits on a throne under two large flags, and a silhouette picture of Caesar, and pontificates to his sidekick, Treasurer Abbott (Nathan Porteus). Every now and then the King rises from his throne to answer questions at a nearby microphone. Actors in the audience heckle him and suddenly the whole play descends into anarchy and bickering uncomfortably familiar as the sitting of Federal Parliament. The quips fly quickly and furiously, almost like surround sound. The Speaker's voice can be heard in the back row attempting to call order on the stage and it is hard to tell what is script and what is improvised. Either way it is novel and in-your-face comedy.

Quick-witted Fitch is entirely satisfying in his send-up of Prime Minister Howard, particularly when answering questions in Question Time. Porteus is also amusing as the puppet-like Abbot who is waiting in the wings to take over the kingdom.

Petra Taylor is brilliant as Queen Matilda, despite the fact that her role flies in the face of good taste. Putting a whole new twist on Waltzing Matilda, she is irreverent, disrespectful and outrageous.

Simon Ngui relishes his role as the opposition member, Gerald Krudd, and Chris Roberts has fun with his roles of town crier and Steve Irwin. Once again the comparison is made with the topical and outrageous Chaser team.

Lampooning politics is not a new pastime but it is very satisfying in the right hands.

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• parody
• satire
• commedia
• dell'arte

[damacussteel]

haha this is very clever. King John is brilliant. I don't quite get abott/costello or whoeveer that was supposed to be...still, pretty funny

[RossVos]

thankx dude, its meant to be Peter Costello!

[calenvanstone]

haha love it