Review: Robert The Octopus at Next Wave

Review by Greg Gorton

Sometimes Midsumma will bring up a show you just know is going to hit the stage again at the comedy festival and, by the end of the year, will be anything anyone is talking about. Robert The Octopus is that show. From the creatives behind the highly successful Rakali, this play takes comedy to the next level. It’s a romantic farce, a slapstick physical comedy piece, a satire, and more.

Sadie likes her coworker, but has only ever seen her online. Being a completely incompetent person when it comes to social interactions, and finding things even more difficult when there is attraction involved, she knows she needs some sort of gimmick to convince the woman to come over. So, like any normal person, she buys an octopus. Robert.

Mich McCowage plays Sadie like a teenage girl in the nineties, a comparison made stronger by the colourful set (complete with bedazzled rotary phone). She bounces on a pile of pillows, on a vintage lounge, kicking her feet while trying not to call her crush for the third time. She fakes confidence when she can, and struggles to admit that what she really needs sometimes is to not be in control.

The set, which also includes a large tub and paraphernalia for the octopus’s home, is lit cleverly, which changes reflecting the abilities of the animal itself, as well as the changing understanding of what this “South Yarra” place means as a home. Little additions like the “dressed up” romantic dinner, and a stream of bubbles keep the whimsy high in moments that might get a little too serious.

The costuming is also brilliant from start to end. While many will compliment the shiny octopus costume (and his own costume later on), I was particularly impressed by the dresses of Georgia and Sadie, which understand precisely what the tone of this show is.

 McCowage’s comic timing is impeccable, and it only takes the right facial expression to have the audience in stitches. Through the whole show, it is really McCowage’s play, with Sadie being the character we care about, the one we cringe for, and the one we feel most sorry for when things go bad.

Lily Fish, as the eponymous Robert, is a master of physical performance (as many will know from seeing them in Rakali). This mischievous arthropod slides and flops around the stage in such a way that you are almost convinced that it is Fish that has no skeleton. The way that Robert silently communicates with both Sadie and, later, Georgia is brilliant. The willingness of all three actors to fully commit to the idea that Fish is an octopus leads to some incredible moments.

While Hallie Goodman is a great actor, her performance as Georgia suffers slightly from the writing. In fact, if there is an issue with the show, it is in the script-on-paper. The characters as read are quite contradictory in nature, and much of both the dialogue and action could easily make less sense under poor direction. The overall story is heartfelt, and there are one or two written jokes, but what works is in the staging.

The praise, therefore, must land as much on the head of Kimberley Twiner, the director of Robert The Octopus as much as it should on the actors. It’s a little difficult to question a decision, or a line of dialogue, when you are catching your breath between laughs. This really is that kind of show. 

When Sadie finally convinces Georgia to come for a dinner meant to be romantic, we see the perfect example of all that works in this show. Sadie and Robert have a report now, and their silent communication as Robert tries to help Sadie is hilarious. Likewise, Goodman’s portrayal of a trapped woman who recognises her mistake in ever being caught up in this mess is a brilliant mix of hesitations, fourth-wall breaking, and line inflections. The farcical dialogue works because of the brilliant physical comedy.

I’m not sure if the heartfelt ending to this show would have worked without the incredible work of the performers and directors, but it was easier than expected to get caught up in Sadie’s plight and be glad there was a happy ever after.

There is a lot of laughter to be had during Midsumma this year, but I’m confident in saying that most of it will be had by audiences at Robert The Octopus. Do make every effort to see it while it is here, but I very much expect we will see it again in the future. 

Image Supplied