Stainless Steel Rat

Like Julian Assange the play about him is both clever and flawed. Stainless Steel Rat is an attempt to dispel the mystery surrounding the man behind Wikileaks, explore what really motivates him and analyse how the global political machine has been shaken by a “bogan with modem” or a mad rooter with a penchant for flipping the bird at the establishment and really what could possibly be more Australian than that? It’s the perfect premise for a play and quite frankly should be a slam-dunk given the rich tapestry that playwright Ron Elisha had at his disposal.

The play is Assange‘s story told through a production team making a documentary about the birth of Wikileaks and the subsequent impact. But why we need this extraneous device is anyone’s guess. The constant interruption and exposition by the producer and director characters is not only irritating, it’s patronising and is just plain does not work. It feels like dot to dot story telling in what has the potential to be an extremely compelling and funny theatrical experience.

That said the clumsiness of the structure can be forgiven (just) because the cast are so strong and the dialogue is also very clever indeed. Dramatic license such as Glenn Hazeldine’s Dimitri Medvedev singing Kylie Minogue songs is reminiscent of British politicians quoting The Spice Girls in The House of Lords.

The set is effective and the supporting technical aspects such as music and lighting also add to the pace and style. Wayne Harrison’s direction is clean and slick, but at times he does go for the cheap gag. I mean we all know that Julia Gillard is challenged in the vocal and hair stakes so why must every portrayal of her lean on the bad accent and fire engine red hair. Although Valerie Bader does a great job, I would have liked to have seen far more clever character choices which weren’t there just for gags. But David Downer’s portrayal of Tim Mathieson who meticulously and rather loudly clips his toenails while Julia nervously discusses the Assange situation with Barack Obama over the phone is very funny.

The play overall does feel a bit long, but Mr Assange‘s life story is interesting enough to facilitate this and it is fascinating to learn more about a man who has caused so much international political hand wringing. Despite the room for improvement it is an entertaining and worthwhile theatrical experience.

Whitney Fitzsimmons.

Images: (top) David Downer and Valerie Bader (Lower) Darren Weller and Glenn Hazeldine in Stainless Steel Rat. Photographer: Tracey Schramm

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