Where do you go when wanting your fair share of the truth ? Well, I'm in the front row at La Mama watching Curtis Fernandez descend the rear stair then prop himself in a leather armchair. Nattily dressed in black tux and cummerbund, I immediately suspect that this illusionist is also the delusionist of this show's title. Not mistaken, Fernandez rises to his left and performs a dance without music. It's an intentionally awkward moment; much like the surreptitious dance that occurs behind the eyes of a liar, as they pretend to tell you the truth. Dance complete, this delusionist then returns to his chair for a fireside chat; during which the audience is presented with a passing parade of dubious characters, beginning with that great salesman George W. Bush.
As Fernandez's creations showcase his acting skills, it becomes clear that Bush, Ben Cousins, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robert Farquarson and several other spinners of the unlikely yarn have much in common. Yes, each is a liar. But where Bush's deceit was a socially acceptable form of gentle persuasion for the purpose of invading another country, Robert Farquarson, the man who drove his children into a roadside dam, was lying to save himself from a lengthy jail term. And while the permanently erect Schwarzenneger, notorious for his on-set sexual peccadilloes, was able to lie through his teeth and become the governor of California, Ben Cousins does a little coke and ice and in doing so almost became an object of human sacrifice. Significantly though, each of Fernandez's characters and their testimonies to clean living all have their claims to moral piety filtered through a medium of communication. Like the delusionist of this show's title, whether reading a paper or watching the news on television it becomes near impossible to substantiate the veracity of any story. Communications media will always filter content to suit its own purposes and if the global media conglomerates don't dumb an audience down then personal agendas and other forms of political spin ensure that the truth, if it ever existed, will forever be a complete fabrication. Intuitively, Fernandez understands Baudrillard's aphorism that "The truth is there is no truth". Weaving this paradox into a script, then using his acting skills to theatrically express this, is the next challenge for the creators of this show.
At times, The Delusionist reminded me of American actor Eric Bogosian's early 70's creation, Ricky Paul. Manic and mad, Bogosian via Paul would delve into American masculinity for the purpose of exposing its inherent brutality. Communications also is inherently brutal. The media chews human beings up and spits them out at will. Fernandez's magician is the perfect character for achieving this same effect. As a master of misdirection, the magician willingly deceives people, but only because they themselves want to be deceived. I would like to see more of Curtis Fernandez in his creation. Actors place themselves in a miserable situation during rehearsal and the lead up to opening night. And yet, acting is also somehow a pleasurable experience. What could be more intimidating for an audience than a sadomasochistic magician ? One who imparts pleasure, but only in order to inflict pain. The same sadomasochistic tendency that characterises our relationship with the contemporary media environment.
The Delusionist
Devised by Lo & Curly
Director: Lauren Clair
Performer: Curtis Fernadez
Light: Matt Barber
Music: Sweet Violetine
Dramaturge: Mirra Todd
Technicians: Belinda Fitzpatrick
& Pru Montin
La Mama, May 7-17, Melb.
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