“Les Mis it Aint – but pure joy it is.“
“The dialogue is witty, the plot perfectly absurd, the themes have just enough bite to ensure they don’t become saccharine and enough political commentary to make the frivolity relevant”
“Boomkak Panto is just what the world needs now, a perfect salve for the post lockdown blues”
– Suzanne Mackay 4/5 stars
Les Mis it Aint – but pure joy it is.
Boomkak Panto could have grated on my sensibilities, I’m not a fan of the ‘little Aussie battlers vs the big other guy’ trope or professionals playing amateur, however the play falls so short of all the cliches I left the theatre uplifted, having thoroughly enjoyed myself. The dialogue is witty, the plot perfectly absurd, the themes have just enough bite to ensure they don’t become saccharine and enough political commentary to make the frivolity relevant.
The plot revolves around the small outback town of Boomkak which is in danger of being overtaken by the big bad developer and it’s decided that the only way to save the town is to produce a money making pantomime. There follows the usual comedy, tragedy and love triangles but the real win in this show is in the performances. The ensemble is tight and seem to really enjoy working together, the opening number sets the tone beautifully and the actors play ‘amateur’ perfectly which puts the audience at ease. As a group they balance the melodrama with the real enough to allow the characters a third dimension.
As much as this is an ensemble piece, Zoe Terakes is an absolute standout from the moment they step on stage. As the protagonist of the love story, they represent the person on the fringe, the one holding steadfastly to who they are despite the mould society is trying to fit them into. Zoe plays the part with perfect comedic timing but with enough dramatic realism that you really care about how this ends up. There is a scene between Zoe and Billy McPherson as Darren the stepdad, which is truly beautiful in its simplicity. The play was created specifically with Zoe in mind for their namesake character but with the extraordinary talent evident in Zoe’s performance, I hope they are afforded a long career as a performer with characters that run the full gamut of human experience. For me the biggest laughs came from Toby Truslove’s John, the once C-F list Australian celebrity who couldn’t really hack it, so moved to a small town under the auspices of finding himself creatively. John is aware of his privilege while being delightfully clueless to it at the same time, he embodies the white posturer while also exhibiting kindness in his own way. All this is to say, he provides an outlet for all of us to laugh and reflect at the same time (and he makes a mean charcuterie board).
Virginia Gay created, co-directed and performs in Boomkak Panto, a trilogy of roles which can sometimes be problematic, leading to a one note vision, but her performance presence and willingness to collaborate avoids all the common pitfalls. She commands the stage but is also able to work within the ensemble, creating a seamless group dynamic which allows every character to take the lead and the full story to unfold. Virginia’s Alison is a one time producer, and with her husband John now a tree changer, acts as the cautionary in the tale. Her monologue on the dark underbelly of British Pantomime was truly inspired, hilarious and so very true. The theatre commentary, inside jokes, the musical Deus Ex Machina and riff with the audience creates a sense of camaraderie that runs like electricity through the entire theatre. Virginia Gay is able to both take full use of the spotlight whilst also being able to shine the light onto others.
Boomkak Panto is just what the world needs now, a perfect salve for the post lockdown blues. It’s a tale of community, it celebrates difference and fights for the right to be authentically who you are, but without falling into cliche or melodrama.It’s also so very, very funny.
Production runs to 23rd Dec.
Suzanne Mackay, Theatre Now
Event Details
