The No Bang Theory | Oliver Hetherington-Page

“I’ve seen Wicked ten times, you think I’m not going to reference it?”

Image supplied by BrisFest

Oliver Hetherington-Page’s The No Bang Theory may be one of the most pleasantly surprising shows I’ve ever seen. As somebody who intentionally avoids reading copy, the show’s opening musical number caught me off guard, and by the second musical reference (conveniently explained afterwards in one of my favourite recurring bits of the show), I was immediately on board for the wild ride I was about to embark on.

A wry cabaret expounding on the difficulties of living with autism, a love of musical theatre, and surprise heterosexuality may not seem like the most accessible work for some, but Hetherington-Page creates a welcoming experience from his first words onstage. Encouraging audience members to stim vocally or physically as needed in an act of rebellion against conventional, neurotypical-oriented theatre etiquette allowed me to feel comfortable enough to enjoy myself fully and loudly.

Set against a bare stage featuring only a single chair, a props table, a series of large flashcards, and a coat rack for a very impressive collection of bright suit jackets, The No Bang Theory thrives off of Hetherington-Page’s sheer charisma. Belted choruses are contrasted against awkward stammers and explanations of jokes and references in a way that draws audiences in, lulling them into a false sense of security just before he hard pivots into completely new territory for the nth time.

Reworked show tunes carry the broader narrative of the work throughout, pulling iconic moments from the cultural consciousness into a completely new light with a deftness only somebody with an equal respect for the form and ability with the pen could achieve. Alternating between shockingly funny and intimately upsetting, Hetherington-Page’s command and understanding of the flow of tone is to be commended - at no point did I feel blindsided by one of the many shifts in tone. Incredibly personal anecdotes on the difficulties of being an undiagnosed neurodivergent teen seeking love in high school were preceded by what I will confidently call the best dance sequence featuring a blow-up sex doll that you’ll see all year, without feeling forced or clumsy.

Musical director Tim Forrester was also a highlight, working his way through countless show tunes with ease, with great rapport between the two throughout - Hetherington-Page’s increasing hatred of a certain musical sting was a personal favourite. Although Forrester was behind a keyboard for the full runtime of The No Bang Theory, his presence as a performer was felt fully, with excellent comedic timing and facial acting helping to tie his presence into the world of the work without occupying too much of the spotlight that Hetherington-Page confidently took.

In the interest of full disclosure, the show I attended was interrupted in the final fifteen minutes by a water leak. I was worried that this would affect my perception, having interrupted one of the work’s more intimate moments, but after a brief intermission, Hetherington-Page returned and recovered with a confidence that only a true performer could achieve, opening his return with “They say autistic people can’t compromise, but I think I just compromised pretty fucking hard” before immediately delivering one of the best musical performances of the show thus far.

The greatest achievement of The No Bang theory, however, is what it represents. The show itself is a delight, but it stands out against the current landscape of mainstream theatre - Hetherington-Page’s call to action for greater representation and platforming of neurodiverse artists within theatre spaces is a powerful act. I will be watching his career with bated breath in the hopes that he, and artists like him, will only continue to achieve greater success and notoriety within an industry that has long silenced neurodiverse voices and performers while profiting off of their images.

Autistic people are funny, they are smart, and they are capable of making incredible art. This is not news to most, but if you’re somehow still not convinced - watch The No Bang Theory and see for yourself.

‘The No Bang Theory’ plays at Metro Arts from 4-7 September as part of the 2024 Brisbane Festival.