This is Living

Fancy a weekend in Hepburn Springs to ring in the new year with your closest friends? What could possibly go wrong? In the new hit show by writer Ash Flanders, emotional baggage is packed in a Louis Vuitton bag and emptied in splendour at an exclusive Airbnb with a fabulous view of nature. On stage at Malthouse Theatre until Sunday 30 July, this semi-autobiographical play presents an honest, compelling and complex view of romantic and platonic love.

Planning the perfect weekend to the tenth degree, Hugh (Marcus McKenzie) wants everyone to have an indulgent weekend taking in the sights of Hepburn and eating anything but store-bought pizza. It is soon revealed that Hugh is battling cancer and is hyper-conscious of perceived enemies – mosquitoes, water and his partner Will (Will King). A supposed loyal partner, Will bears the brunt of Hugh’s frustration and highly strung mannerisms. The cracks in their fractured relationship are evident upon the arrival of Hugh’s much older friends – the larger-than-life TV presenter of “This is Living” Alex (Belinda McClory), no-nonsense Jo (Maria Theodorakis) and rigid Sharleen (Michelle Perera).

The group reflect on their year of hell by consuming wine and medicinal hydroponics leading to some compelling drama. The central relationship of the show is Hugh and Will, whose on-again/off-again dynamic is a rollercoaster of trauma and emotion. Alex contemplates a move to Channel 9 to host a reality show in some kooky incarnation of Love Island in an attempt to affirm her fame and success. Jo is obsessed with her students. Sharleen maintains a façade of a fulfilling life but it’s anything but. When these personalities are contained in the pressure cooker, much hilarity, drama and emotion ensue.

In short, This is Living is absolutely fantastic and a complete riot to experience. The plot unfolds with gusto and morphs into a messy, tangled mess of saucy secrecy, long-standing rivalries and palpable tension. Many reveals and bombshells are dropped turning the weekend vacation into a mental landmine where each character tiptoes around the truth to protect their projected identity and fragile ego. Major credit should be given to Marcus McKenzie and Will King for their ability to bring their characters’ pain to life, leaving many members of the audience to tears (myself included).

Belinda McClory, Maria Theodorakis and Michelle Perera are pure magic on stage and generate a generous amount of hilarity on-stage. The range each actor possesses on stage is a marvel to watch, showing us the delusion and bitter reality of their characters’ lives. For me, Jo’s delivery of the line “I’ve got a PhD in performative modalities” and Alex’s commentary of “As a mother, As a mother” should be adopted in everyday nomenclature. The set dressing was intricate and did well in resembling an idyllic Airbnb in the Hepburn area. The costuming was lavish, particularly Alex’s range of high-end couture scarves, glitzy jewellery and extravagant dresses.

This is Living is bold, fabulous and enthralling. Be sure to check it out.

This is Living
The Malthouse Theatre – 13 Sturt St, Southbank 3006
Runs until July 30th.