UNPACK THIS!

‘UNPACK THIS!’ was written by ex-Neighbours star, Geoff Paine, after – we are led to believe – an unfortunate episode with one of his real life neighbours. This is a hilarious, 70-minute comedy exploring the funnier side of anger management. Originally part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival, the script has since been developed into this full-length play.

Presented by Perth Theatre Trust, Subiaco Arts Centre and Redskin Productions, it is playing in the main auditorium of the Subiaco Arts Centre, 180 Hamersley Road, Subiaco nightly at 7.30 until Saturday, 15^th September, with one Saturday matinee at 2.30 pm. On Friday night, there are two shows, first at 6.30 pm and the second at 8.30 pm.

         On the open stage is a line of eight plastic, utility chairs and a whiteboard. Lorraine, a pretty young social worker (Michelle Nussey) is seated on one of the chairs, watching her middle-aged colleague, Trevor (Syd Brisbane) pace back and forth. Trevor approaches the audience and tries to ingratiate himself with the men in the audience, before welcoming us to the 'Anger Management Workshop for Men'. 

        Trevor is a euphoric, idealist and starts writing on the board his aims for the class. Slowly, the six offenders that have been sent by the Courts start to arrive. They introduce themselves; it is a group ranging from a young Vietnamese man struggling with the culture barrier, to a 72-year old, Aussie redneck living in the past. There is the man who is repentant at his anger outburst, but then a drugged-up hoodie who cannot see the problem and for whom this ‘politically correct’ class is a total waste of time.

        Will the Counsellors manage to conquer the anger? Will the world be a happier place as a result of their skills?

The character development of the offenders is exceptional, and so closely observed that each is instantly recognisable as someone you know. We have all been to character development courses or Government bonding groups, where the lecturer is filled with self-importance and treats everyone like a two year old. This is the worst scenario, with all six, very different reprobates being played by Geoff Paine and Ross Daniels. Every so often, each talented actor had to change personality several times in a minute, but with the natural dialogue and hilarious body language, the result was uproarious.

Michelle Nussey started in Perth with the Big Ho Ha, and just like impro, this show relies upon the skilled, split second teamwork.

A sell-out in Melbourne, this show was one of the funniest I have seen in years - laugh aloud, eye-wateringly funny.