U.B.U: A Cautionary Tale of Catastrophe Review
21.05.2022
“Knowing about a problem and not liking it is not the same thing as doing something about it.”
Richard Hilliar’s UBU is back and this time at the KXT bAKEHOUSE Theatre Company. Presented by Tooth & Sinew, this production is brought to Sydney audiences during the anticipated (and maybe dreaded) Federal Elections. Timing was perfect as we went to see this self-proclaimed ‘Anti-Political Play’ reflect a satirical image of our own parliament after casting our votes and awaiting the results.
The unpredictable and bizarre U.B.U delights audiences with a tale of deceit, murderous plots, climate crisis and… poo? Foul mouth characters rush about concocting up schemes of destruction and mayhem, misleading the citizens of Pooland about the state of the world and plotting their profits. Gee, where have we heard this before?
The actors of UBU are skilled in their portrayal of the wild and whacky and do an excellent job engaging their audience through every twist and turn. Not a single moment failed to receive a laugh, nor did a single innuendo fail to land its meaning. I can say UBU cannot escape its resounding success!
With the extraordinary set design by Ash Bell and costuming by Tanya Woodland, Hilliar’s (Writer/Director) play brilliantly invokes the circus in a reasonable reference to politics. Hilliar’s play extracts the dualities between government and circus, media and dishonesty, theatre and distraction, to perfectly link the symbiotic nature of the good and the bad in everything. One can rave for hours about the meaning of UBU and discuss every cleverly placed detail, but I suppose that is what you’ll have to do when you get your ticket to see the show!
It would be shameful to end the review without showing an immense love for the cast and crew of the show. Ryan McDonald (Lighting Design) and Tegan Nicholls (Sound Design) masterfully crafted the atmosphere of UBU that emphasised each intense minute. The nine members of the cast, yes NINE, worked so beautifully together that the performance seemed effortless, rehearsed exhaustively yet performed fresh as if for the first time! The cast: Tristan Black, Amy Victoria Brooks, Rachael Colquhoun-Fairweather, Emily Elise, Angus Evans, Gideon Payten-Griffiths, Shea Russon, Idam Sondhi and Nicole Wineberg are some of the most talented actors I’ve seen to date. ATYP’s own Clare Hawley in her other role as a photographer took these gorgeous photos that capture the essence of the show perfectly.
With a final monologue from the incredible Nicole Wineberg, the audience must reflect on the seriousness of UBU’s message of unchecked policies and governmental bodies, climate catastrophe and the public’s role in its demise. Leaving the theatre after a standing ovation, one cannot help but feel conflicted in the hilarity and absurdity that was just witnessed and the horror of the reality told.
If you want a healthy dose of humour and fact, book your “fcucking” tickets to see UBU now!
4 Stars.
Georgia (Gia) Cohen, 23 [she/her]
U.B.U: A Cautionary Tale of Catastrophe by Tooth and Sinew Theatre plays at KXT from 18-28 May. Book tickets here.