Refugees, asylum seekers and broader immigration have long dominated headlines and political slogans from all parties within Australia, and more recently abroad in Europe and the UK. For many people it is a polarising issue, for Perth theatre group The Last Great Hunt it provided the starting point for new work All That Glitters. A work initially devised as a theatrical response to Australia’s (both its government and its citizens) reaction to asylum seekers, refugees or “boat people” heading for Australia. Director and co-devisor Gita Bezard mentioned in her programme notes that she hoped the play would “provoke a conversation” amongst other things, and I feel it certainly does that; and thanks to the fact sheets placed in the bar and in the foyer, it should at least be an informed conversation too.
In many respects All That Glitters is a political play; it’s certainly dealing with one of the countries most divisive issues, but it never falls into being didactic or preachy. All That Glitters instead is an irreverent romp that plays with the conventions of theatre as much as it tries to make any concrete political point. It’s all very Meta – a play about a play, or even at one point a play about a play about a play. There were stops, restarts, musical numbers, and tap dancing. It was as the early promos promised – An Extravaganza!
It’s all very gaudy and a little in your face with it’s tight gold spandex, glitter and gold streamers combination; but it never fails to get the laugh. Normally at the expense of one of the Hunters, who each seemed to be playing a heightened version of themselves (you’d hope!). All That Glitters is funny and satirical, but also bipartisan in its humour, poking fun at both sides of the political debate; occasionally some of the humour was a touch on the nose – but such is the nature of the topic.
All That Glitters is a humorous, satirical and most definitely entertaining. Whilst it was perhaps only superficially political, it certainly helps start a conversation, and prompts you to evaluate your own position on the asylum seekers and refugee situation. And there was choreographed dancing to Taylor Swift, what more could you possibly ask for? I mean really!
All in all All That Glitters is humorous, satirical and most definitely entertaining. Whilst it was perhaps only superficially political, it certainly achieves its goal in helping start a conversation; prompting you to evaluate or re-evaluate your own position on the situation surrounding asylum seekers and refugees. And there was choreographed dancing to Taylor Swift, what more could you possibly ask for? I mean really!
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All That Glitters is currently being presented at The Blue Room Theatre, Perth until 29th August. For more information and ticketing visit: http://blueroom.org.au/events/all-that-glitters/
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