Teenagers struggle with a complex, diverse and changing circumstances. They have friends and peers to impress, family to ridicule and depend on, insecurities to mask with bluster or nonchalance, and complicated emotional upheavals. When one of your parents is a mermaid and the other one is a minotaur and you have inherited the human genes your life is at another level of craziness. Attending school as a human with crocodiles, a Sphinx, peacocks, flies, satyrs and an improbable mixture of hybrids you really stand out. The problem in TOO HUMAN is that Monty, the human played wonderfully by Rhiaan Marquez, does not want to stand out. She wants to blend in with the other fourteen year olds.
Playwright Michael McStay has created a very thoughtful work that examines the contradictions of being human layered with the difficulties of being from a minority culture. The play is carried along by some very sharp humour, cracking lines and wry observations. It is lots of fun and maintains a light-hearted sensibility while simultaneously discussing weighty matters.
The show is well directed by Sammy Jing. He brings his insights and handles well the complex scenario. There are dance routines, crowd scenes (with a cast of six), slapstick, etc, presented with joy and warmth and a good dose of silliness.
In their own ways the cast members all contribute to the joyful entertainment of TOO HUMAN. Just as the play emphasizes the multifaceted nature of being human the actors display diverse characteristics, simultaneously displaying pathos and humour, bravado and insecurity or intelligence and frailty. Rhiaan Marquez, Lachie Pringle, Rachel Seeto, Jasper Lee-Lindsay, Mason Phoumirath and Luisa Galloway are all to be congratulated.
The technical crew is Production Designer: Hannah Tayler, Lighting Designers: Emma Van Veen, Paris Bell, Sound Designer: Felix Partos, Additional Recordings: Gabbi Bolt, Movement Director: Mym Kwa, Stage Manager: Alex Liang, and Intimacy Coordinator: Trish Speers. Photography by Phil Erbacher.
TOO HUMAN is at KXT Broadway until 20th July and is highly recommended.
