Grand Theft Theatre is a meta collection of moments in theatre. Everything is stolen.
A living museum through time, Grand Theft Theatre is part live documentary and part vox pop. A literature review in the form of theatre itself. Rather than portraying reinactments of scenes from Theatre over time, this show captures moments in theatre from the perspective of and throuhgh the experience of the viewer.
Just as the taste of wine depends on the time, place and company when tasting, the experience of theatre is contextual to our own upbringing, situation, and world view. It captures the full experience of these moments of theatre, including reflections, and how they may have influenced or inspired, or otherwise.
Can we pry the experience of art away from the art itself?
It is easy to fall in love with shows when you are caught in the moment.
But not every show affords that luxury. If a theatre experience prys you away from your day to day and takes you somewhere else, through time, inwards, or outwards, then it has done its job.
Grand Theft Theatre is a captivating and engaging experience. While audience participation is part of the show, the extent of this can be tailored based on willingness to chat with others. Sometimes you find yourself enthralled in the elements of an icebreaker and catch yourself enjoying the moment – this show takes this moment and expands it to a full two hour dive into how theatre moves and inspires us.
An impressive example of storytelling, executed with lo-fi production. Performers are not afraid to get dirty, gritty, and vulnerable. The resourcefulness of production and props is not to underestimate the performance. Both Pony Cam and David Williams display impressive skills and ability, particularly in Act 1 with a series of reinactments of a scene incredibly executed with a series of ‘curtain up’ commands while a lucky few audience members experience the full show from behind the scenes. At times moments can be quite heavy, particularly in the order of the acts, and if you aren’t up for a deep dive then perhaps choose a night for when you are.
Grand Theft Theatre obliterates the third wall not only by the performance but through the format of the show that provides for interaction with other theatre goers, as the audience becomes part of the show (in a safe way and while maintaining agency).
Pony Cam and David Williams creatively find ways of cateloging theatre experiences; by the response they created, shared moments, and by common themes such as rain or blood. This results in an ecrentic mix of snapshots, and provides juxtaposition of theatre shows you would never ever expect to see near each other. And it isn’t just the old, the Adelaide Festival Megamix includes references to productions part of the 2024 Adelaide Festival.
A dynamic and beautiful catalogue of a show reel of real theatre moments.
4 stars.
No Comments