Weeping Spoon‘s award-winning show Vehicle has made its way back to this year’s State of Play lineup at the State Theatre Centre for FRINGE WORLD. Shane Adamczak and Sam Longley have paired up to create this ‘vehicle’ for their unique but excellently paired talents, and the resulting show is both hilariously silly and touchingly sweet.
Longley and Adamczak are two of Perth’s most famous, not-quite-famous actors who are on their way to Mukinbudin to perform in a comedy showcase to hopefully be discovered by Tim Winton’s (or was it Ben Elton’s?) brother and finally get their big break.
They’re the classic odd couple; Adamczak, the kid at heart who never stops mucking around, frequently tests the patience of Longley, the straight man with Big Dad Energy. As they travel in their imaginary car down the animated highway on the backdrop screen, all seems fairly innocuous as they pull into a petrol station to fill up and get some snacks. Here we have some cute little breakaway scenes where Shane and Sam both hop into different characters (rowdy young brothers, a flirty mum, an old age dodderer, teenage servo clerk). From here, their journey gets a bit bumpier, and the question becomes – will they make it to the gig on time?
Adamczak and Longley use just about every trick in their arsenal of theatre and improv skills to generate laughs – mime (don’t worry, it’s not the painted face, ‘I’m in a box’ kind), props (but not so many that they start to take over), clowning (don’t worry, it’s not the painted face, ‘I’ve got a balloon’ kind), costumes, audiovisuals, ad libs (or are they?), and, of course, a fart joke.
There are wonderful moments of imaginative fourth wall smashing, (well, all the walls really), where Sam and Shane jump between stage and screen. There are dream sequences, explosions, and trips through sleeping bag portals.
Through it all, Longley doesn’t just play the straight man – he’s really a kid at heart too, just like Adamczak. The chemistry that makes these two such a lovable, watchable duo rests in their different approaches to the same destination: Silly Town (or Mukinbudin, as the case may be).
Vehicle is a clever, well-crafted show that Adamczak and Longley seem to execute effortlessly. Part of that is down to their total comfort on stage, surfing the present moment with ease and turning fuck-ups into comedy gold. But it’s also a demonstration of sheer craftsmanship from two performers who have been plying their creative trade for years on screen, on stages across the world, and right here in our little town.
CICELY BINFORD
VEHICLE runs at the State Theatre Centre of WA from 30 January – 4 February as part of State of Play at FRINGE WORLD. For tickets and more information click here.
