Underneath Ms Archer REVIEW 23 June 2023 ***1/2

THEATRE

Written & performed by Louise Siversen & Peter Houghton

At Irene Mitchell Studio, 44 St Martin’s Lane, Sth Yarra, until 16 July 2023

Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Stars:***1/2

This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 24 June 2023. KH.

Louise Siversen, Peter Houghton -Underneath_Ms_Archer_image by Darren_Gill

After she allegedly slaps a recalcitrant passenger on a long-haul flight, Australian flight attendant, Kelly Archer (Louise Siversen), takes refuge in her late mother’s London flat to escape the social media trolls and paparazzi hounds who pursue her brutally, relentlessly and, of course, often anonymously.

 

Siversen’s Kelly paces frenetically and fiercely, grumbling and growling about the unfairness of it all, when suddenly and altogether weirdly, a mediaeval knight (Peter Houghton) appears, bloodied and reeking of 800-year-old sweat and grime.

 

And so begins this bizarre blend of absurdity, time-travelling sci-fi and social commentary that challenges issues of truth-telling, history, family connection, loyalty, cowardice, cancel culture, social media abuse, summary judgement and just plain silliness.

 

Any description of this production cannot do it justice because it just sounds mad – which it is, but in a good way.

 

Siversen is electric as the manic, blunt, bolshy and brusque Kelly, shifting from fearful, defensive, resistant and angry to reflective and self-aware. Meanwhile, Houghton as our knight errant, William Marshall, begins his birthing from the sofa with howls of rage and confusion, ranting in Old English that, although incomprehensibly Germanic and guttural, makes sense because of Houghton’s nuanced playing of each moment, attitude and emotion.

 

Despair not if impenetrable Old English be not your thing, because William’s lingo inexplicably becomes comprehensible English, so the pair can then negotiate their shared space, shared history and common experiences. In the end, despite their 800-year cultural differences, their humanity, relationships and family draw them together and allow them to find common ground.

 

Peter Houghton directed the production, which is a tall order when you are also the writer and performer, but associate director, Anne Browning, provided an effective outside eye. The set design (Sophie Woodward, Jacob Battista) is an elaborate and realistic depiction of a dusty, old London flat, the costumes (Karine Larché) cunningly wrought, while the lighting (Bronwyn Pringle) and sound (J. David Franzke) are evocative and complex.

 

Underneath Ms Archer is witty, intelligent, audacious and ridiculous – a fine formula for a new Australian play that the creators hope will have a future in larger, more salubrious venues. All hail the knight!

by Kate Herbert

 

Cast

Lou Siversen – Kelly Archer

Peter Houghton – William Marshall

Creative team

Lou Siversen & Peter Houghton -Writers

Peter Houghton - Director -

Anne Browning -Associate Director

J. David Franzke - Composer & Sound Designer

Bronwyn Pringle -Lighting Designer

Karine Larché - Costume Designer

Natasha Marich -Stage Manager

Sophie Woodward & Jacob Battista - Set Designers

Chris Mead- Dramaturgy

 

Louise Siversen, Peter Houghton -Underneath_Ms_Archer_image by Darren_Gill