The Motherf**ker with the Hat

The Motherf**ker with the Hat
By Steven Adly Giurgis. Director: David Bell. Red Stitch Actors Theatre (Vic) June 8 - July 7

Jackie (Demitrios Sirilas) is a young New Yorker who returns home to the apartment he shares with his hot girlfriend, Veronica (Michelle Vergara Moore) to tell her he has found a job. We learn that he is a recovering drug addict on parole whose rehab treatment is sponsored by a clean-living, energy drink swilling friend, Ralph (Adam McConvell). Despite the fact we know Veronica is still using, hopes are high for Jackie. That is, until he finds a man's hat (not his) in the  apartment he shares with Veronica. So begins a sharply observed black comedy, as Jackie richochets between his girl, his sponsor, and cousin Julio (Mark Casamento) to uncover the identity of the "motherf**ker with the hat".

A hit on Broadway, where superstar comedian Chris Rock played Ralph, this production is very true to Giurgis's New York story, recreating the melting pot of cultures and the frustrations that rise like steam from the Subway. Director David Bell wastes no time in planting the story within its setting, and the actors come prepared with flawless New York accents and unfailing delivery of the rapid-fire dialogue.

The casting is superb, with Sirilas a revelation in the central role. There is a risk in this play that the swearing and sassy dialogue can overwhelm the journey of its central character, as he struggles to become an adult and resist the temptations of drugs, sex and, when it comes down to it, thoughtless behaviour. Not so with Sirilas. He is enthralling from his first scene, giving a performance that is both physically and emotionally real. As a character study, it's one of the performances of the year for me.

Michelle Vergara Moore does well to make Veronica more than the foul-mouthed, coke-snorting caricature she could become, while Christina O'Neill is excellent in a scene where she goes from temptress to betrayed wife. The women are on the outer in the story, and somewhat ornamental. Veronica's role is especially difficult. The playwright is not as interested in her story, or why she is still on drugs, for example. It's more about the men.

Mark Casamento is hilarious as cousin Julio. He's Joe Pesci meets Jean-Claude Van Damme, and gets the biggest laughs.

Red Stitch has imported this production into its season 2012, using guest actors rather than its ensemble. Artistic director David Whiteley said on opening night his company of actors didn't have the ethnic mix the play demanded but really wanted to have the show. It will be interesting to see if that leads to more guest productions at Red Stitch.

Sara Bannister

Images: Christine O’neil and Demetrios Sirilas & Michelle Vergara Moore and Adam McConvell. Photographer: Jodie Hutchinson

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