Benito Di Fonzo’s memorably titled fringe hit is currently having a return season as part of the Seymour Centre’s annual BITE (Best of Independent Theatre) program.
Unlike many shows in this genre, Di Fonzo’s show does not see the singer and his band perform any of the great man’s hits. It wasn’t possible as the playwright could not obtain the rights to the songs. Audiences have to be content with Matt Ralph as Dylan and his band playing Dylanesque like songs whilst Ralph charted Dylan’s journey.
All the main landmarks in his story were covered including the furore when Dylan changed his folk guitar for an electric and his famous motorbike accident, resulting from an overdose of mescaline that resulted in serious injury and Dylan being off the scene for over a year and returning a changed man and artist.
The show had an unpretentious, light-hearted vibe with the highlights being its vibrant portrayal of the anarchic and sometimes bewildering artist, along with cameos of some of Dylan’s famous contemporaries including Joan Baez, Alan Ginsberg and John Lennon. I loved the scene when John Lennon appears on stage in his underdacks and denounces Bob as being, ‘just a naughty boy’.
Lucinda Gleeson lets the writing shine through in her production that she ha helmed from its infancy as a ten minute play performed as part of Sydney’s 2008 ‘Short and Sweet’ season.
Matt Ralph, a fine local singer songwriter in his own right, impressed in his role, stepping into the rock maestro’s shoes. There was thankfully no attempt at a script impersonation, either in voice or look. Ralph was well supported by Lenore Munro and Andrew Henry, who as well as being part of his band played the numerous cameo roles, and Simon Rippingale who stuck to what he did brilliantly well, playing bass and ukulele.
A co-production of Critical Stages and Tamarama Rock Surfers Theatre Company, ‘The Chronic Ills Of Robert Zimmerman Aka Bob Dylan (A Lie)’ opened at the downstairs theatre at the Seymour Centre corner Cleveland Street and City Road, Chippendale on Friday 22nd October and runs until Saturday 6th November, 2010.
Tags- ‘The Chronic Ills Of Robert Zimmerman Aka Bob Dylan’, Benito Di Fonzo, Lucinda Gleeson, Matt Ralph, Lenore Munro, Andrew Henry, Simon Rippingale, Seymour Centre BITE program, Critical Stages, Tamarama Rock Surfers.
