Presented by potbelly productions
@ The Grand Academyof Lagado
WEDNESDAY 29 Feb 2012 (until March 11)
Status Update is the story of Kylie Howard (Sarah Cullinan), and her struggle to understand her life in this present day and age. While Kylie’s boyfriend Ernie is passionate about the environment, and is even going overseas to attend some sort of conference on climate change, Kylie is much happier to sit on Facebook and play Angry Birds. She can’t see what sort of change Ernie’s activism is really making in the world – how can one small person really change anything? Why even try? So begins Kylie’s journey of discovery, as she attempts to understand a world that is so small yet so large, and how she can make a difference.
This play (from writer/director glen r johns) portrays Kylie’s journey through a mixture of face-to-face interactions, but also a live interpretation of her Facebook newsfeed. Inspiration for these parts of the story were taken from the writer/director’s own newsfeed, and really capture the spirit and essence of how Facebook is used by people. I felt this to be the best part of the play. Three Facebook Clowns (played by Tom Fitzsimons, Amelia McDonell and Elle Szuster, who also doubled up as members of Kylie’s family and some crazy party friends) were the oral versions of the Facebook news feed – from status updates, the numbers of ‘Likes’ on a page, the comments that people make on statuses and photos and links posted.
The show had an interesting concept, and being around the same age as the characters portrayed, I related to their feelings of apathy and helplessness in a world full of problems. There is so much information about problems with the world and those causes that want to help coming at us everyday, even over Facebook, it is hard to know what to do with it all. However, I don’t think the message was carried off as best as it could’ve been. It felt a bit forced and at times felt like a different play to the more light-hearted Facebook parts.
Despite my misgivings about the overall plot and direction of the play, it is great to see writer/director glen r johns understand that connection we all have to it, and portray it in such a creative, unique and amusing way (as opposed to having the cast sit on stage in front of phones and laptops for 50 minutes).
Adults and teens alike will enjoy this play – a high school group was in attendance the night I went, as well as a smattering of adults – although you need to be familiar with Facebook to fully understand all the in-jokes. The Grand Academy of Lagado, where the show was held, is a small space. The seating is stools and cushions moved into the space to allow more people in, so make sure you get there early for a good seat.
Status Update: A Guide to Early 21st Century Life is playing at The Grand Academy of Lagado at various dates until the 11th of March.
