Four stars
Workplace dramas provide rich material to explore relationships, social dynamics, achievements and the stumbles to attain those results, and Masterpiece is a humorous and entertaining exploration of this environment.
Performed in Flow Studios 88 in Camperdown, a former industrial site that has been converted into a studio and performance space, MASTERPIECE cleverly uses the location to for the two main performers, Rae Colquhoun-Fairweather and Will Bartolo, to carry out their required task, hang an artwork in a gallery. This is communicated to the audience by clowning, mime, music, dance and physical performance.
The performers facial expressions are one of the highlights of the show. Rae’s sweet smile draws the audience in and Will’s anguish, guile and pretension adds another dimension to the drama. They are skilfully supported by musician James Tarbotton. His charming nonchalance is an excellent counterpoint to the two clowns.
Music is very cleverly utilised to carry the story and often replaces what would be dialogue in a more conventional piece of theatre. The music ranges from classical, as background at a fancy gallery opening, to alarms, a mobile phone and accompaniment to a hilarious piece of Irish dancing.
The story builds slowly from a stilted start displaying workplace incompetence through to a frenetic burst of activity as pressure builds to complete the picture hanging. Throw in a workplace meltdown, a mandatory meal break and some brave audience participation and you have a daring, imaginative work driven by enthusiasm and artistic skill.
MASTERPIECE was a crowd favourite at the 2024 Sydney Fringe Festival and this encore performance is at Flow Studios 88 in Camperdown until Sunday 16th February and is recommended as all proceeds from this show will go directly towards funding the travel costs of the MASTERPIECE team to attend the 2025 Adelaide Fringe Festival.
MASTERPIECE is created, performed and produced by Rae Colquhoun- Fairweather and Will Bartolo. The Musician is James Tarbotton, Assistant Producer is Laurie-Ann Fong-Wooley and the Stage Manager is Jemma Sproul. Photography by James Tarbotton.
