Lewis Treston’s IRL is a camp fever dream – managing to be equal parts nostalgia and guttural call to be just a little more kinder to ourselves.
Alexei is cos playing, perfect pink princess dress making, hormonally charged protagonist and he is loud, in charge and ready to be seen… that is by everyone except the boy he has been chatting to online.
As he nervously takes the first steps into real life, Alexei is faced with countless moments of self discovery, the perils of first love and a best friend with an out of control id.
Treston once again brings to the text his razor sharp insight on queer life, love and CAMP storytelling can allow an audience and actors to unpack complex and difficult themes with sassy and a sly smirk.
Leaning a little too chaotic at times, the work nevertheless manages to capture the whimsy and heighten emotions of youth, while still allowing moments of true depth and pathos.
For the most part, Eugene Lynch’s direction is spot on, maneuvering the characters through an ever increasing chaotic world while understanding the delicate constraints needed to truly pull off a farce.
There are times however when a sharper eye or a sliver of restraint would have perfected a moment and captured the essence of the scene and character.
The ensemble of four performers, Andrew Fraser, Leon Walshe, Bridget Haberecht and Dominic Lui, the on this tour de force with an overflow of vigour and enthusiasm – truly there are moments when the performers are radiating pure joy of the stage.
Each actor commits to the story with a full and open heart, with an excitement to not only tell the story, but open up their character’s vulnerabilities to be understood and accepted.
The production is sadly let down by the design aspects – there are moments of cheeky CAMP brilliance but for the most part the set gets in the way and limits the action, the lighting and costume designs were predictable and uninspiring and a sound design that left little impression. A missed opportunity for a cohesive punch packing production.
IRL is a delightful representation of classic farce and showcases CAMP Aussie storytelling that is very deserving of a long season and engaged audiences.
IRL
KXT on Broadway, 181 Broadway, Ultimo
Performance: Wednesday 30 April 2025
Season continues to 10 May 2025
Bookings: www.humanitix.com
Image: Leon Walshe, Andrew Fraser and Bridget Haberecht in IRL – photo by Justin Cueno
Review: Gavin Roach