Adapted by Christos Tsiolkas & Dan Giovannoni from the book by Tsiolkas
By Malthouse Theatre
At Beckett Theatre, Malthouse until 28 May 2023
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: **** ½ (4&½)
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly, 3MBS, on Sat 13 May, 2023. KH
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| Loaded_ Danny Ball as Ari_ pic Tamarah Scott |
Tsiolkas’ 1990s debut novel, Loaded, is the basis for this solo show, but Tsiolkas and writer Dan Giovannoni have dragged Ari cursing and writhing into 2023 with an intense, dense and graphic script that challenges both actor and audience.
Ari is still Greek-Australian, still doesn’t want to be gay, still doesn't want to be Greek, is still having sex with strangers in public and private places, still afraid of his mother’s wrath and still filled with self-loathing.
But now, he is slamming a panoply of new drugs, visiting new clubs and haunts, and talking about hipsters, Vegans, Uni wankers (that’s probably the same), wokeness and other 21stc century contemporary issues.
Loaded takes place over one, long, dangerous and terrifyingly drug- and sex-fuelled night in Melbourne, during which Ari gallops and stumbles from his parents’ home in Brunswick, to drug pick-ups, parties and clubs in Collingwood, Preston, some eastern suburb, then St Kilda. On his anti-hero’s journey, he collects stoned siblings and friends, a drag queen, drug dealers, anonymous sex partners and other unsavoury characters. If you’re a denizen of Melbourne, there are plenty of laughs about suburbs and culture.
Ball is charismatic, compelling and has impeccable vocal, physical and acting technique. He is muscular and sensual and plays Ari with manic energy and remarkable, nuanced delivery, creating a totally credible, grotesque, sympathetic, funny and distressing character. He populates the stage with a parade of characters, some of whom he embodies briefly, and others that remain off-stage. He tosses us from laughter to gasping, from playfulness to despair. It is gruelling for the audience – particularly the sexually explicit scenes – but far more punishing for Ball.
Stephen Nicolazzo’s taut direction is so rapidly paced that it is hard to catch a breath as we witness Ari in his horrific spiral into drug and sex chaos.
I can’t say that it is an enjoyable experience, but Ball in Loaded delivers a dexterous and masterly piece of theatre. The crowd leapt to its feet as one at the finish.
by Kate Herbert
Cast - Danny Ball
Director - Stephen Nicolazzo
Adapted by Christos Tsiolkas & Dan Giovannoni from novel
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