Written & directed by Nathan Ellis, by Subject/Object (UK)
Melbourne Fringe Festival
At Trades Hall Common Room until 12 Oct 2025
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: 3&1/2
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 4 Oct 2025. KH
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| Instructions@Summerhall_UK (c) Alex Brenner |
Instructions, one of two show presented by UK company, Subject /Object, features a single, local actor who knows nothing about the scenario, the script, the form or content. Yes, really! He or she must respond to simple instructions that he sees on a monitor in front of him and which we, the audience see on the screen behind him.
We watch him struggle, respond, look anxious the. delighted with not only the liberation of not having to remember any lines or think of any ideas because they are all fed to him.
On the night I saw it, the actor was John Marc. Each night will feature a different local actor, all of whom know nothing about what they're about to experience. Other actors. with different skills, might improvise more dialogue, vocalise more fully or be more physical in response to the instructions.
The instructions not only tell John what to do, but also refer to how uncomfortable he feels, how strange this experience is, how he is starting to feel better about it and even to enjoy it and take risks.
John is playing an actor auditioning for a film called Love in Paris. His audition is filmed, including his reading of various scenes for the role played in numerous, different styles, modes and emotional states. It feels like a weird acting class.
He is instructed to express different emotions: happy, sad, confused, excited, angry, annoyed. He jumps about excitedly, reaches out pleading, shadow boxes, welcomes someone. It’s like a series of mini acting exercises.
A narrative starts to emerge as each ‘Chapter’ passes. He waits to hear if he got the part. Yes, he gets the part! He waits for a starting date. He contacts his agent and the director. Still no starting date for filming.
But what transpires is that the Love in Paris has been made – without him. (SPOILER ALERT!)
Now you can consider the implications of AI on acting and actors. Actors being replaced by AI? An interesting and scary concept that is already happening. Be warned!
By Kate Herbert
Performed by October 1 - David Woods October 2 - John Marc Desengano October 3 - Tomáš Kantor October 4 - Shamita Siva October 5 - Hayley Edwards October 8 - Vidya Rajan October 9 - Tom Ballard October 10 - Ash Flanders October 11 - Christie Whelan Browne October 12 - Alex Hines
Credits A production by SUBJECT OBJECT
text & concept by Nathan Ellis
technical design by Harry Halliday
dramaturgy by Ben Kulvichit and Sam Ward
lighting design by David Doyle
sound design by Nat Noyle
producer (AUS) Harry Dowling
PRESENTED BY Melbourne Fringe
CREATED BY SUBJECT OBJECT
WRITTEN BY Nathan Ellis
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