Here at Perth Arts Live, we know festival season in Perth/Boorloo (and beyond!) is hectic. There’s a lot to do, see, and plan when arts festivals overlap in such spectacular ways. To help readers make informed decisions about where to spend every moment of their free time during Fringemas just like us, we’re asking FRINGE WORLD artists to ‘take five’ from their busy schedules to answer five questions about their shows. No rest for the weary, eh?
Performer and designer Jonathon Paterson takes five with PAL to tell us, with great succinctness, about the show he’s bringing aaalll the way from Canada for its Australian premiere: AWOL – Two old men escape from a care home and go to a metal festival. A co-pro from RibbitRePublic Theatre & Weeping Spoon Productions, AWOL is on at the State Theatre Centre as part of State of Play from 21 Jan – 8 Feb. About AWOL:
Cyril doesn’t like old people, which is a shame, because he is one. When he learns his estranged granddaughter, Lily, has her big break with her thrash metal band, Abscess, he and his friend Neville are determined to show up and support her. Neither of them will ever be the same again.
Q1 What inspired the show, and what motivated you to bring it to FRINGE WORLD?
Creator Rob Gee was inspired to write the show when he read a news item from Germany about 2 old men who escape from a care home and go to a metal festival. It turned out to be apocryphal, but he loved the idea and wanted to write a feel-good adventure caper with a positive message about ageing. After the success of the show in North America, it just seemed like a natural step to bring it to Perth. I worked here as a lighting tech last year in De Parel and I absolutely loved everything about this Fringe. I just had to come back.
Q2 What’s the most unexpected, funny, or interesting thing that has happened during the show’s development?
We had to spend the first week rehearsing on my sailboat because there wasn’t a rehearsal space available yet. That was pretty silly.
Q3 What does the audience absolutely need to know before they come to see the show? (without spoilers, of course!)
You don’t need to love heavy metal music to love this show, you also don’t need to be an old man.
Q4 If you could invite any famous person (living or dead) to the show, who would it be and why?
I’d really have to invite AC/DC to come and play the live soundtrack. 🤘
Q5 What other show(s) would pair well with yours for a delicious FRINGE WORLD feast?
Perish with Great Difficulty!*
BONUS ROUND: In 10 words or less, give us your last-ditch pitch to get folks in to see the show!
2 old men escape from a care-home & go to a metal festival.**
PERTH ARTS LIVE
Editor’s note:
* also from Weeping Spoon Productions
** 11 words, plus a number and a symbol, plus it’s the show’s subtitle, plus it’s in his answer to Q1 – wait, is he trolling us?
