Hey there, ‘Flesh Eating Tiger’. You’re one wild beast. You’re a wonderful new piece of writing. You’re a drama, a comedy, a farce, a commentary on both relationships and the hypocrisies of theatre. But mostly, you’re a little bit psychotic.
‘Flesh Eating Tiger’ is an intimate play about two people. I never learnt their names, so I’m gong to call them He and She. He is an alcoholic, like a raging alcoholic. The kind that breaks glass and gets very very violent. And She is a dependent on the relationship. She is a one of those typical middle-class white girls who is so hung up on the guy that she can’t move on. But wait, we have a female playwright!?
American playwright Amy Tofte uses realism and absurdism as a platform to show just how messed up humans can be. Back and forth, the play switches between the two worlds. He and She tell us that the play is a play within a play. Or is it? I may have gotten lost between the explicit and the implicit dialogue. The actors sometimes (actually frequently) break the fourth wall to give a little of relationship advice to the audience. There is so much breaking of this world that it makes me wonder if it’s the characters or the actors who are in a dysfunctional relationship.
With everything in mind it was a funny play. There are funny little one-liners that got laughs out of the audience. I think the actors will grow into their characters as the season unfolds. I enjoyed the sound design, which is now available on Soundcloud.
If you’re planning to see the show, just a warning: you will see mild violence and the throwing of furniture. Also note that The Owl and the Cat Theatre is a small intimate space and taking photos is distracting and disturbing.
– Amber
Amber B. is a freelance stage manager that is excited to keep you up to date with Melbourne’s best theatre.
‘Flesh Eating Tiger’ runs 31 May to 4 June at The Owl & Cat Theatre (34 Swan Street, Richmond). Book tickets or email them directly.
