Rob Carlton’s one-person show at Fringe World, Willing Participant, is a compelling blend of humour, acting, and storytelling prowess. The show chronicles four distinct chapters of Carlton’s life, each brimming with absurdity and introspection, as he seamlessly transitions from comedy to poignancy and back again. From the morally questionable (a youthful exploration of cousinly affection gone awry) to the outright audacious (posing as a continuity expert on an international film set without any expertise), he grapples with loss, biking with his father’s ashes strapped to his back replete with lyrca, and finally lets us in on his time tanking in the unforgiving world of musical theatre—a midlife crisis turned theatrical spectacle.
The latter tale was very referential of who’s who in the acting/singing zoo, making this part exceptionally interesting for those in the industry and positioning Carlton as an actor’s actor and raconteur.
Beyond the scripted stories, Carlton’s unscripted intermezzos elevate the performance with genuine emotion and witticisms. These heartfelt asides are profoundly moving. There he shared that the show was born of a series of dinners where guests were encouraged to tell “brave stories,” fostering connection and community. This sentiment feels particularly poignant in today’s fractured times, where hyper-individuality reigns supreme.
Carlton’s physicality on stage is one of his strongest assets. He masterfully inhabits most characters; for example, the drunken meanderings of a drunk middle-aged woman on a boat were side-splittingly uncanny. But some characters, like the Sydney Theatre Director, were a tad one-dimensional but still very funny. His use of the entire stage, combined with some lighting design flourishes creates a dynamic visual experience that complements the storytelling.
However, not all elements of the performance are as polished. A smattering of bridging “ums” occasionally disrupted the flow. Additionally, the second story, arguably the funniest and most memorable, felt misplaced in its sequencing. Shifting it to the finale would have left the audience on the highest note.
There were also moments when Carlton chose to sit, and while this offered a sense of intimacy, the venue, in its lack of tiered seating, offered a lower vantage point, leaving me craning over a sea of heads, losing engagement momentarily.
Still, Carlton’s charm is utterly undeniable. I was left with a compelling desire to sit in a darkened corner of a pub and share war stories about love and life until the bar kicked us out or the sun rose, and for me, this is the ultimate sign of a good storyteller. Do they leave you wanting more and would you buy them a pint? And ultimately the answer is yes. His storytelling is as raw as it is refined, proving that the truth—no matter how messy or ridiculous—can be both hilarious and deeply moving.
Willing Participant is a gorgeous, funny, and unabashedly honest show. Its profound emphasis on the power of storytelling to foster connection and community is a boon for these modern times.
C.J. O’HARTE
Willing Participant is presented by State of Play and FRINGE WORLD and runs from 19 – 26 January 2025 in the State Theatre Centre in the Middar room. For tickets and more information, click here.
