Testing, testing, one, two, three. Transmission begins from Alpha Bravo. Listen very carefully, I don’t have much time and I think I’m being watched. And bugged. So, I’ll whisper.
As instructed, I attended New Theatre to surveil their production of THE SPOOK. Very droll. Looks like New Theatre is up to old tricks. Believe this play really a Commie plot to undermine ASIO, to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids with satire and symbolism creating a subterfuge for the usurpation of national security.
The “show” starts off with a supposed ASIO mole dictating a surveillance report into a tape recorder. It’s supposed to be 1965 with reference to Menzies and Vietnam, but I reckon that’s code for ScoMo and any number of contemporary conflicts we’ve coat tailed on in the lingering “all the way with LBJ” mantra. And speaking of contemporary, is anyone fooled about speeches in the play about the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia? It’s obviously coded messaging about current events in Ukraine.
Churchill is attributed to saying an Iron Curtain has fallen across the continent, but a black scrim divides the stage of New Theatre, another bit of symbolism, no doubt, not just a device for clandestine set changes.
And there’s an obvious attack on Australia’s immigration policy with homeland security personnel again being portrayed as some heartless potato headed goons.
There’s fictions, factions and frictions within; a Pandora’s Box of paranoia.
I spy the “show” is directed by Rosane McNamara. She’s Old Guard New so we probably already have a file on her. As for her collaborators, it’s a cast of the usual competent suspects, a collective, they’d call it, with a smattering of debutantes. New newcomer, Tristan Black, was bloody convincing as an ASIO agent. Is that his real name? Is he a mole? If so, outstanding infiltration. Spooky.
THE SPOOK is just the sort of subversive theatre that should attract a wide and enthusiastic audience, so two options are suggested.
Option 1: secure all remaining tickets so as to prevent members of the paying public. These are probably rare as hens teeth such as the palpable popularity of the performance attended.
Option 2: Keep the season under surveillance. With an election coming up, no knowing what havoc THE SPOOK may unleash.
Transmission terminated.
Alpha Bravo New Theatre.
THE SPOOK by Melissa Reeves
Thursday – Saturday 7:30pm
Sunday 5pm
Final performance: Sat 9 April 2pm
Running time: 2hrs 45mins (including interval)
