The Execution Will Not Be Televised - Review

The Execution Will Not Be Televised - Review

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Posted 2021-05-06 by Jenfollow

Wed 05 May 2021 - Sat 08 May 2021


The Execution Will Not Be Televised is here for a good time, not a long time. There are just 3 shows of the original 4 left and you need to book now for shows Thursday to Saturday 6-8 May 2021 at 7.30pm - Chapel Off Chapel , 12 Little Chapel St, Prahran. At this point in time, Friday has already sold out, so get in quick for Thursday and Saturday.


Produced by Impending Storm Productions with director, writer, and producer of the show Kieran Gould-Dowen at its helm, the cast consists of Frank Kerr as Charlie and Mollie Mooney as Annabel, the hosts of a reality show, Ana Isabel as Your Honour, and Chiara Carmelita as Georgia, Marcus Hensley as Oscar, Grant Young as Jamie, Alyssa Scott as Clara, and Shane Grubba as Peter, these five being the prisoners, and Luca Romani as Pascal in many roles, with Patrick Gibson as Patrick the Security Guard.


The show is set in the live TV studio of 'Judge Your Neighbour'. The government has fallen and an organisation called The Social Network has taken power. Their first point of action was handing over the legal system to the entertainment world. This show has been bringing on criminals as contestants for ten years, making them compete in sadistic and entertaining challenges in a bid to not receive votes from the public at home. Four will be executed whilst one walks free. The show is immersive, and the audience at the show, is the audience in the TV studio, ultimately voting through the website for who wins the show and keeps their life.


This creative team certainly bring the goods to this fantastic production which will honestly leave you chuckling, yet rethinking your entire moral compass. The actors are upbeat, energetic and deliver. Welcoming the audience as they walk in are the hosts of the tv show Judge Your Neighbour, Charlie and Annabel. Their interaction with the audience is everything! They are confident, look you in the eye and are as funny as hell together, complementing each other all the way. They're not just the warm up act to get the audience in the mood, they're pretty impressive throughout the show, as they bristle with - did I mention, confidence!?


The simple set reflected what it was meant to - a reality tv show with the hosts on board. Clearly standing out in their white uniforms, Annabel is sporting flame-red hair with shoes to match, and Charlie with matching tints of red through his scalp. The five prisoners simply stand behind a gated enclosure in what looks like a horse stable, tethered within. The suited security guard stands still, but on the ready to pounce when needed, however, generally, he moves not much at all. The camera woman follows all the action as she captures all she needs to, staying focused on the hosts.


Sound and lighting were perfectly executed (pardon the pun) with the spotlight focusing on highlights of the moment, drawing the subject to the foreground, while the rest in the background fades. Dialogue heavy and well written, you really need to pay attention to retain what is being said as they are at times interconnected. There are five contestants/prisoners to cover, and some might find it a tough call to recall the rich material to reflect on later, to come to a fair conclusion. There's more that lies below the surface of these contestants.


Clever and entertaining all the way with a good injection of humour and a dose of power play on display, the show could simply be entertaining as a comedy but it subtly brings in significant issues to ponder. This is where it invites your listening skills and asks you to question where you stand ethically on the subject of justice, and if you have taken responsibility as concerned citizens.

It's apparent that the creative team have worked well together to deliver such an entertaining piece of work that gives you a hard unexpected slap of reality in the end. The strong cast of actors cannot be faulted and perform well to deliver pleasurable viewing while being confronting. Given that they're in the lead roles so to speak, Charlie and Annabel shine above all while Luca Romani as Pascal steals the limelight from them as his character slowly develops to co-hosting with Charlie. He's simply a likeable character as he at first displays his personality a little at a time in the background, that doesn't go unnoticed. Before you know it, he's front and centre eliciting your attention and affection with his shenanigans and obvious good vocals and moves.


A very good show adding to a very entertaining evening, the ending cleverly brings you back to cold hard reality. Every actor got the chance to put their talent on show and they passed with flying colours. Kieran Gould-Dowen has been working on this new version for two years, and although the show has just a week long season at this point, it is hoped it will go beyond Melbourne on tour and to other seasons within Melbourne. Don't miss it. Be prepared for the long haul with an hour each side of interval, when you'll need to stretch your legs.



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!date 05/05/2021 -- 08/05/2021
%wnmelbourne
183213 - 2023-06-16 02:07:59

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