Gasp!

Black Swan State Theatre Company and Queensland State Theatre Company's co-production ofGasp! is a fascinating production with an intriguing story-line. Gorgeously presented, it is a celebration of the brilliant mind of Ben Elton.

Christina Smith's stark and clean, multi-locale set has beautiful lines and the multiple locations are handled with smooth, tracked transitions. The only problem is that with the brilliance of the white, minimalist set, a piece of litter left on stage for most of Act 2, became an annoying distraction. Trent Suidgeest's imaginative and fun lighting design works intrinsically to support the production.

Ben Elton's script has obviously been heavily revamped for new audiences and a new time. References to mining play well in Western Australia and will also resonate in Queensland. Jokes are timely, relevant and up to the minute and the audience certainly find it very funny. It feels very like an extended episode of Black Adder, set in the near future and there are many that will delight in the experience. The comedy is clever, often risky and sometimes steps over the line of good-taste.

The cast works extremely hard. Damon Lockwood is dynamic in the central role of Phillip, maintaining a strong energy throughout. He is well supported by Greg McNeill as mining magnate Chifley Lockheart, Steven Rooke as "yes-man" Sandy, Caroline Brazier as the sexy Kirsten and Lucy Goleby as the sweet and likeable Peggy. The actors have a huge challenge. The dialogue, while very clever, is not realistic and often unlikely, the characters (with the exception of Peggy) are mostly reprehensible, and it is difficult for the audience to care much about their fate. All had excellent conviction and beautiful comic timing.

I have really mixed feelings about Gasp! While I admired almost everything about the production values, the efforts of the cast and the wonderful mind of Ben Elton, the production as a whole felt lacking and for me, did not have the strength I expect from Black Swan. The audience on Opening Night found the show hilarious and I would recommend the show to fans of Ben Elton and irreverent non-PC comedy.

Kimberley Shaw

Images: Damon Lockwood and Greg McNeill & Damon Lockwood, Greg McNeill and Steven Rooke. Gary Marsh Photography