No pretension is spared in this brilliantly cringey parody of an actor
Presented by: Casey Filips
Reviewed: 7 March, 2024
Casey Filips stars in this solo comedy as Tobias Finlay-Fraser, the greatest actor of his generation. The only problem is he’s in an audition, and he isn’t very good.
Finlay-Fraser is the type of artist many would recognise: marvellously talented, but cruelly overlooked by the mainstream; supremely confident, until he realises you don’t like what he’s doing; a student of many of the finest acting schools, but presumably a graduate of none.
Unsurprisingly, his audition is a disaster as he narrates his resumé, forgets his lines, and presents some ‘experimental’ work of his own.
Filips brings the ponce and pretension of this character with alarming accuracy, equipped with a posh voice and the posture of an uncertain pigeon, all while resplendent in black tights. He has a quick wit in improvisational moments, and impeccable comic timing, knowing when to lay on the cringe, and when to lay it on some more.
Filips engages the audience throughout, seeking opinions on his headshots, help with his lines, and even to co-star in his new audition tape. In this, he was supported by a small, but generous audience who very much warmed into the show as it progressed.
This show is quality cringe comedy, delightfully delivered with all pretensions by a very talented performer.
Reviewed by Simon Barnett
Venue: Laugh Lounge
Season: 7 – 10 March, 2023
Duration: 50 minutes
Tickets: $20
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/virtuoso-af2024