Comedy
by Tim Motley
Teatro 1 – Perth Cultural Center
Sunday 1st February
Review by Justine Spencer
Tim Motley couldn’t have summarised his show any better: “That’s the craziest fucking show I’ve ever done”. As Motley opens by explaining how tough it is being a “jaded private dick”, Teatro 1 loses power, leaving him without a mic and music. Motley’s right; it’s really bloody tough being a “jaded private dick”, especially during a Perth summer storm.
As the technicians promised, power returns within five minutes, and Motley’s Cluedo-like performance starts getting into the swing of things. With a mixture of magic, monologue and character analysis (seriously, he accurately guessed a woman’s star sign), Motley takes you on an investigation that’s difficult to follow because his card tricks are so mind-blowing.
Like many comedies, 2 Ruby Knockers, 1 Jaded Dick has a lot of audience participation. You fill out a questionnaire which Motley uses for profile analysis, and a couple of members will be brought upon stage to act as Dirk Darrow’s foes and perform a small dance number.
Not long after Motley analyses members of the crowd, Teatro loses power again. There’s no mic, no music and the technicians can’t even adjust the lights (an important tool in Motley’s performance). Motley repeats cues several times for the technicians to begin a voice over or switch lighting, without response, and realises the remainder of the show just got a whole lot harder.
Without important voice overs necessary for the story’s plot, Motley had to improvise a majority of his performance. Despite the unscripted changes, the crowd’s hysterics only grew; his handling of the situation shows just how brilliant the performers at Fringe can be.
In hindsight, the opening show should have really been called 2 Ruby Knockers, 1 Jaded Dick: The Accidental Improv. You couldn’t help but admire Motley’s perseverance, and congratulate him on pulling off a hilarious performance despite the difficulties. He well and truly deserved his standing ovation.
2 Ruby Knockers, 1 Jaded Dick: A Dirk Darrow Investigation runs until 4th February at Teatro 1 -Perth Cultural Centre. Check it out in the Festival Guide here.
