 THE LAST RIDEStage Left, October 2002 Reviewed by Narrelle Harris Theatre in Decay has a track record of utilising violence to highlight the way society hypocritically relies on such extremes for entertainment value. Last year's All Dressed Up and No-One to Blow is one example of this approach. Unfortunately, The Last Ride is not as successful as that previous violent tale. The concept here, of questionable taste, is a musical inspired by Ivan Milat's backpacker killing spree. Set ten years later, there is a series of copycat backpacker murders taking place in Belangalo, with more than one killer. Despite the potential to shock, the story is fairly tame. There's a lot of deliberately corny humour and cheesy delivery, including a dated X-Files parody. These are no doubt intended to highlight the way we turn horrific events, like September 11, into entertainment. But something sharper and edgier, making the audience more uncomfortable, would serve the purpose better. The musical skills of the cast aren't of a consistent standard. Parodies of genres need to mimic the original well, to work at their peak. While some of the cast are good singers, others are not, and this detracts from the overall impact. In fact, the whole show feels under-rehearsed. Its lack of polish gives what should be a savagely funny horror-comic-musical a muddled and incomplete air. Some of Robert Reid's usual sharp writing is evident, including some entertaining meta-textual analysis and the passion with which Reid tries to shake his audiences out of complacency and hypocrisy. With less corn, more bite and better singing, The Last Ride could be another Theatre in Decay gem. As it stands, however, it's a very rough diamond indeed. review found at http://www.stageleft.com.au/2002/lastride.html |
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