Moon With A View | Moth Light Theatre
Moon with a View is a whimsical and wacky mixture that is often Monty Pythonesque—and occasionally reminiscent of Michael Bentine’s Potty Time—showcasing Calum Johnston’s acting, improv, balloon-manipulation, and comedic talents.
Moth Light Theatre promotes this 60-minute performance as blending ‘clowning, physical theatre, and earnest storytelling in this tale about coping with grief in the most adventurous way.’ We all seek to find different ways of coping with grief, so it is perhaps understandable that an ‘actor, theatre-maker, puppeteer and theatrical clown’ would create a work inspired by the death of his much-loved Gran. The show centres on the journey of a wannabee astronaut, motivated by the desire to scatter his grandmother’s ashes on the moon. Johnston incorporates many references that would have made his Gran laugh—causing much hilarity with his astronaut exams, red-string monsters, milo-hoovering, and moonwalking (well, running really).
Image + cover image: Creative Futures Photography.
Moon with a View is a one-man show that depends heavily on a range of imaginative props (including creative uses of a leaf blower), and also on the support of the excellent David (a very diligent Stage Manager), of the tech ‘team,’ and of co-opted audience members. Johnston works hard at audience involvement, with great success. On Thursday evening, Johnston’s skilful puppetry delivered some of the most poignant moments of the show, in particular during Gran’s story time with young Callum (an audience member). And my personal laugh-out-loud moments came during leaf blower lift-off, and throughout the overenthusiastic audience-generated meteor shower.
There were moments that I felt didn’t add to the overall story (for example, the impressive demonstration of Johnston’s ability to represent any emotion suggested by the audience), and I did come away feeling that the ending might need a little development (so that the audience is clearer that the show has finished). Equally there were other parts of the show that I’d like to have seen more of; in particular, I loved the Terry Gilliam-inspired images projected onto the screen, which occasionally almost seemed to be a ‘throwaway.’ But, as Moon with a View is a show about one person’s response to grief, I accept that this production is a highly-personal story—which is skilful and at times can be very funny.
Moon With a View won’t be everyone’s cup of tea/beverage of choice. If you are looking for a fun 60-minute show as part of an evening out with friends—and/or if you are open to slightly wacky or whimsical silliness—then this is for you. If you are looking for a high-energy clowning theatrical event, then you may also want to go to enjoy the skills of this talented creative. This is a show that I am certain would go down well with Fringe audiences, and I’d suggest that future publicity amps up the Pythonesque silliness (and perhaps that the producers seek out pub room venues) to make sure Moon With a View finds its tribe. But, first, Johnston may just need a rest after three nights of such a high-energy, poignant and sometimes hilarious show.
While writing… I was delighted to visit Pip Theatre for the first time (‘an intimate 100-seat performance precinct’ which is now within the space that was originally Milton’s 1990s Dome Dance Bar). Brisbane needs spaces for emerging artists to tell local stories and provoke conversations about life, belonging, and purpose.
Verdict: Moon With a View is a whimsical and wacky mixture that won’t be everyone’s beverage of choice. If you like Monty Python, or want to see a talented puppeteer and theatrical clown at work, then book now (and take some friends with you).
