ED2014 2/5 Reviews ED2014 Theatre Reviews

Awkward Conversations with Animals I’ve F*cked (Ten Dead Men)

By | Published on Wednesday 6 August 2014

First, the good: actor Jack Holden is outstanding, delivering a compelling performance, rich in pathos and humour. The problem with the play itself, though, is that it wants to have its cake and eat it. Or have its dog and, well… The central concept – awkward, morning-after conversations between a man and the animals he’s slept with – is amusing. It would work as a recurring sketch, but just doesn’t work as a play. So there’s some heavy handed allusions to the sex-trade and gender politics, as well as a last minute bid to give the animal f*cker Bobby some depth, a tragic back-story. Yet these attempts at gravitas undermine the humour, while the humour makes the drama feel unearned.

Underbelly, until 24 Aug.
tw rating 2/5 | [Andrew Leask]



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