This was a masterclass in naturalist acting and storytelling. Mike Howlett deserves to win every single award possible for his performance in this beautiful show. The show deserves to be sold out every single night and in a much better performance space.
Producers who HAVE MONEY need to take this somewhere bigger!! Please go see this show!!!
The description of the plot of the show doesn’t really sound too appealing. The title of the show, without context, makes you think you’re going to see a show about something to with manosphere – yuk. Please look beyond that.
It starts as a quirky interactive comedy about a meek and mannered guy but by the end you’ll have laughed, cried and been changed for the experience.
“Tax makes Ben anxious. As a sole trader, he’s been hoarding receipts all year. Now, he must go through them all and the audience are going to help.
Every receipt tells a story, every audience member gets a receipt (the first three rows). Audience members will be called on at random to produce a receipt, and the performer will deliver the corresponding monologue. Every performance is totally unique, with the order of scenes changing every night.”
I didn’t think a show about doing one’s tax return would so poignant. With every transaction evoking the good times and the bad memories of things gone wrong, gone right, journeys taken, relationships that have begun and ended. Prompted by frequent calls to the Inland Revenue helpline. There are humiliations, successes and tragedies of the last twelve months, stitching together his memories of the last financial year.
The story of his twin packs a particular punch. I don’t want to give any spoilers on that.
The character of Ben is clearly neurodivergent in the best way. There is a spark that he starts to realise the powers he has with his particular brand of neurodivergence. I don’t know if this was the playwright’s or lead actor’s plan, but it hits you right in the face in a wonderful way.
I was not in the first three rows, so I did not receive one of the receipts but this device of giving the receipts to audience members is genius. Due to the randomness of which ones come up, it really brings you straight into the moment. This must have been a challenge in rehearsals. I’m sure there are certain plot points to jump back too but each section/monologue would have been like its own separate play to learn. This was masterfully taken care of by Howlett. From the moment he stepped on stage you knew you were in safe hands, and we would have gone anywhere with him.
The production team have done a disservice by not putting Mike Howlett’s name on all of the promotional material. Having to search the internet for the only person in the play is a massive faux pas by them.
I would like to give a shout out to the costume and set designer/s, also not listed anywhere. The contrast of the stark set with the magic pop of colour of Howlett’s costume worked perfectly together.
Jo Bradley doesn’t try to heavy handle anything in this production, which to me means they have done their job as a director perfectly.
James Graham has won a ton of awards for his writing for stage and screen. “The Man” is another great example of beautiful work and captivating and very individual point of view.
Handy tip for theatre goers – There is very little parking near the theatre, and it isn’t the easiest place to find if you don’t know the area. You go to the basement of the community centre and there is the performance space.
Run, don’t walk, to Lane Cove – Pottery Lane Performance Space before it closes on Sunday!!!!
To book tickets to The Man, please visit https://sydneyfringe.com/events/the-man/.
