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Fringe Review: We Should Quit

By James Rudd

Posted on March 1, 2014

It’s pretty amazing to see a very simple idea, a boring one even, turned into an incredibly entertaining little show.

Presented by AfterDark Theatre
Reviewed 28 February 2014

… We Should Quit is the story of two guys who are unhappy with their work. Their job is to press a big red button every now and then and basically nothing else. It’s pretty amazing then that Avan Whaite and his co-creators Thomas McDonald and Morgan Wilson can turn such a simple idea, a boring one even, into an incredibly entertaining little show.

Thomas McDonald and Morgan Wilson are incredibly funny guys. They have a great chemistry on stage, both eccentric and energetic, but perfectly complementing one another’s characters.

The show is an effective mix of circus and contemporary clowning with some truly impressive feats performed onstage. McDonald’s ‘corde lisse’ (rope acrobatics) is fantastic, giving us just enough suspense while showing off his honed skill. Wilson excels in the clowning side of things. Even his movement around stage was designed to maximize hilarity. At the same time the show does feel a little disjointed, the tricks seem to diverge too much from the plot. For example, why does McDonald have to perform rope acrobatics, as amazing as it is, to fix his laptop?

… We Should Quit also features some great sound design. Every sound effect and piece of soundtrack was utilised well and fit the action perfectly. It is a bit of a shame that the venue allowed for too much sunlight and outside sound, because if proper lighting was used the show would be all the more amazing.

… We Should Quit has already won awards and acclaim from the 2013 Melbourne Fringe and so the creators will obviously be looking to recreate that success in Adelaide. It really is a perfect show for Fringe season, full of light-hearted fun, suspense and even a little bit of mystery.

Reviewed by James Rudd

Venue: Royal Croquet Club – Ukiyo, Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square, Adelaide
Season: 28 February – 9 March
Duration: 55 mins
Tickets: $13.00 – $23.00
Bookings: Book through FringeTix online or phone 1300 621 255