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THE DREAMS OF THE CHICKEN Reviewed by John Richards Writer: Hernan Palacio Dates: 1. 27 September - 6 October 2002 2. 9 - 19 October 2002 Venues: 1. North Melbourne Town Hall, cnr Errol and Queensberry Sts, North Melbourne 2. The Space, 318 Chapel Street, Prahran Bookings: (03) 9416 3888 . Descriptions in the Fringe program can be annoying. At first glance, The Dreams of the Chicken's claim to contain "absurdism, dadaism, surrealism and symbolism, with a Latin American spin" seems uselessly vague. But this turns out to be the best definition for an indefinable show. To see it is like being on a burning runaway train while an axe-murderer runs up and down the corridors: you know you won't come out unscathed, but you have no idea what will get you first. Essentially a cabaret of surreal set-pieces, The Dreams Of The Chicken wanders from straight-up humour, to sly satire, to downright bizarreness without ever forcing the "weird factor". Reckless, breathless and exhilarating, it teeters on the edge of hysteria. Occasionally the performers apologise for things going awry, but it's impossible to guess what is and isn't planned. There's no way of knowing where the show will go at any moment, and the performers often seem surprised. Will they use the audience to recreate Botticelli's La Pieta? Will Palacio place his head in the mouth of a chicken? The only constant is the mantra of "More bubbles! More mescal!" as Mexican spirits are distributed from water pistols. Ringmaster Hernan Palacio resembles a lithe South American Aunty Jack, while Jackie Hawkins and Matilda Robertson are suitably sultry as his accomplices. Providing the music is Shanaka Fernando, looking good in his slinky red dress, and combat-clad Vincent Gimenez, probably the sexiest harp-player you'll ever see. The Dreams of the Chicken will not appeal to everyone; but if you're willing to take the trip, you'll have an amazing journey. The show's frantic charm is overwhelming, and underneath the brightly-coloured chaos there are barbed comments about politics, immigration and asylum seekers. The performers are engaging, the costuming is fantastic and the whole package is surprisingly sexy. Highly recommended. |
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