Alana’s Score: 3.5 Golden Snitches
The Boy Who Lived. Quidditch. Hogwarts. Harry Potter. Any of these sound familiar? Then you’re in for a laugh-out-loud treat at the Entertainment Quarter this month.
Puffs is an alternate take on a very well-known seven-year story about a certain famous wizard. Taking a leaf out of Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, it retells the tale from the perspective of a bunch of well-meaning students who just happen to be at school at the same time as The Boy Who Lived.
All at once it is an homage to, and a piss-take of, the magical world we all know and love. The dynamic cast make it a lot of fun, and any Potterheads out there will find plenty to love and laugh about.
Puffs apparates into Sydney hot on the robes of a sell-out season in Melbourne, having first premiered Off-Broadway in New York. The all-Australian ensemble includes some classmates from the Melbourne run, and a few new students.
James Bryers as Cedric is dashing and loveable, and his cameo as the most evil dark wizard of all time is hilarious. Ryan Hawke, Adam Marks and Angelina Thomson play our leading trio, driving the heart and soul of the story. Big laughs belong to Matt Whitty as the sullen potions master, Daniel Cosgrove as J. Finch and the sports coach, and Lauren McKenna as ditzy Leanne. As the Narrator, Gareth Isaac was suitably vibrant on opening night, but perhaps was letting the energy get away with him — it felt rushed and a little manic.
In classic opening night style, there seemed to be a bit of off-script improvising going on. Some of it worked, but some of it caused massive drops in pace and timing, both of which are crucial to the success of any comedy. It’s understandable that the cast are having a great time with this show – it’s a riot. But comedy, especially in a parody of a well-known story, requires discipline. The second half did settle down a bit, and the actors let the lines land more confidently, allowing us to hear the jokes and laugh accordingly without missing lines. Hopefully nerves will settle and the run will continue to find clarity and crispness.
Set and costumes by Madeleine Bundy evoke a great sense of place and time, with iconic band t-shirts from the 90’s and suitably magical doorways with a nod to house colours.
Expertly written by Matt Cox, Puffs is a hoot. Whether you be Brave, Smart, Snake or Puff, you’re bound to leave the show smiling. You probably do need to be familiar with the Harry Potter books and universe to fully appreciate this show. For those who aren’t, expect a tonne of silliness (that hopefully makes you laugh) and plenty of spoilers.
So put on your house colours, jump on your broom and get yourself to the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. Playing until June 30.
Alana Kaye – Theatre Now
Photo Credit: Kurt Sneddon
