80 minutes no interval keeps its promise

Louis is a bit unlucky in life. Some might say cursed.

His first steps were onto broken glass. He’s an aspiring writer that hasn’t had anything published since high school. He’s driving both his girlfriend and an overzealous waiter crazy as he obsesses over every adjective describing every morsel on the menu at the posh restaurant where he’s trying to propose. He loses his job as a theatre reviewer to a big red box. His parents want him out of their investment property.

But he won’t give up. He’s determined that his next novel is the best he’s ever written. His luck is turning around. All he needs to do is impress publishing heavyweight Dan Kurtz.

Travis Cotton writes, directs and stars in 80 minutes no interval – an unpredictable rollercoaster ride of dark humour, absurdities and possibly the best impression of ‘reeling in the money’ that you’ll ever see, thanks to the versatile and delightfully exaggerated performance from Robin Goldsworthy as Dan Kurtz.

Pulling apart every absurd convention of contemporary theatre with wit and vigour, the small cast takes Travis Cotton’s narrative to an unexpected place, full of show-stopping moments accompanied by the odd belly laugh.

What is to truly be admired is the cast’s ability to seamlessly embody a myriad of performance styles, one after the other, without missing a beat – while appealing to both theatre critics and casual theatre goers alike.

The show delivers on its promise to be 80 minutes in duration, without interval.

80 minutes no interval
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
theatreworks.org.au

Pictures: James Terry