He Died with a Felafel in His Hand

Stage adaptations of this cult book are still as rambunctious and rebellious as the original.

Based on his share-house experiences as a struggling journalist in the late 1980s, John Birmingham (JB) wrote his book a decade later. A great storyteller, he didn’t let facts get in the way of a good story. It’s not surprising the play is still enjoying a runaway success.

Felafel is not everyone’s entertainment. Even the slim programme’s cover carries the disclaimer “There will be coarse language and adult themes, but hopefully that’s why you bought the ticket”. Truth is, the full house audience on opening night was expecting to be reacquainted with signature moments from the book and weren’t disappointed.

Shaun King has established a reputation as the definitive JB/narrator. He allows us to recall times growing up when we kicked over the traces to explore boundaries and met memorable characters in the process.

All other actors in this cast worked as a tight ensemble, each creating multiple easily-recognised characters: grotesques, obsessives, amorals, drug and alcohol experimenters, spaced-out or wasted cohabitants – and the police or Centrelink investigators who arrived occasionally to follow up suspicions or complaints. Hilarious!

Director Natalie Bochenski encouraged her well chosen cast to improvise so we have some satirical sideswipes at the current change of government also. My only quibble: were we in late twentieth century Australia or today? It doesn’t really matter, the nostalgia of growing up even in different generations is the buzz this show leaves us with.

Jay McKee

Images: (top) Michael Fitzhywel and (lower) Shaun King, Jenna Murphy and Jessica McGow. Photographer: Heath Carney.