Hurlyburly - The Group Theatre

Hurlyburly is a naked and dirty look at the filth of Hollywood during the decade of decadance and pastel suits. An emotional exploration and discovery filled with self-loathing through coke and reefers.


In the hills of Hollywood, Hurlyburly opens up in Eddie's apartment. Bedraggled and out of his mind on a previous night's hard hitting excursion, it sets up the tone for the rest of the show. One in which life is seen through either bloodshot eyes or outbursts of forced clarity.

Eddie (Ed Wightman), a casting director of some repute, surrounds his life with people of a similar nature. Phil (Alex Dimitriades), a wannabe actor with more grease than a sloppy burger. An all too cool and suave business partner, Mickey (Amos Szeps). And an erratic and probably paranoid Artie (Felix Williamson), ever holding onto a briefcase.

Wightman snorts up a storm and puts to shame the nasal skills of everyone at the table, even that of "drug hoover" Bonnie (Susan Prior). An exotic dancer and friend who comes in at a point that seems to rock the whole show into its fateful moments down the final turn.

Dimitriades imbues Phil with a raw power that at times is rather scary. A loser on all accounts: in life, his career and in constructing meaningful relationships with people. Phil doesn't see this, and perhaps why he is constantly full of rage and fury. An emotional fireball swinging left and right with no thought or consideration for the now or even for others.

Wightman swings back and forth with ease from states of lucidity to being totally overtaken by the drugs which inhabit his body and apartment. He knows the territory well. Donna (Penny McNamee) is a bubble of light that always brings in the sun no matter what the scene whereas Darlene (Emma Jackson) comes closest to being as sleazy as the men.

Hurlyburly never fails to remind the audience that this is the decade of abundance and large gestures. Every other word and even the words between those are heavy in syllables, laden with a constant need to make each sentence sound important and academic.

The stylistic language of debate wherein gloss and stress in pronunciation serve as the weight of the argument. No need for facts here, there are big words to use which can serve as de facto. Their sheer weight echoes the show's excesses with the times. The big talk of the 80s and Hollywood combine to reveal nothing much yet looking to speak volumes with such.

Moments of sharp and incisive wit foreshadow dark events barreling down at the far end of the night. With the lighting effects adding a subtle punctuation, the final reveal is that much more potent and rather depressing.

Hurlyburly is playing at the Stables Theatre in Sydney until 4 June 2005.

Soon Van

Published May 2005 at The Program - NSW Stage reviews

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