Night Out At: Passing Moustache

Passing Moustache

Passing Moustache, directed by Merv Jones and written by Edward Gray, is a genre-blending piece that weaves comedy, drama, love stories, biographies, and tragedies into an anthology of duologs. The production consists of an ensemble cast, including a standout performance from Sonia Sidje, whose charisma and fire lit up the stage.

While the acting is a mixed bag, with some performances bordering on surreal at times in what was otherwise a piece that felt grounded in its depiction of real stories, each cast member delivers raw honesty in the portrayals of their characters. Jones deserves praise for his direction, bridging seven stories together and infusing each scene with new meaning through the recurring 'moustache monologue'. Language used touched on the poetic side and Gray's use of pros should be commended.

 The set design is minimal, with basic furniture allowing the focus to remain on the performers and their characters. Similarly, costumes are simple and realistic, reinforcing the notion that effective theatre doesn't need to rely on extravagance. This is something that independent theatre needs to bare in mind when creating art and something that Jones takes in his stride.

The anthology format brings to the audience a fresh perspective to the interconnectedness of human experiences, we are all just one person away from eachother and this is cleverly shown by the way each monologue connects to the last through one character metaphoricly Passing the torch that is the story onto the next. Pacing of the piece mirrors the ebb and flow of the sea, offering quiet moments of reflection before bursts of energy propel the narrative forward.

Freedom emerges as a central theme, explored through various lenses such as sexual identity, race, and gender. The cast handles these topics with sincerity, highlighting the relevance of these issues in todays society. Often times, artists can tend to shy away from addressing these topics however, the team at Make It Write pull no punches when addressing the uncomfortable which opens the door for audience reflection. We'll done to all!

In conclusion, Passing Moustache is a thought-provoking and innovative production that challenges conventional storytelling, leaving audiences with a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the human experience.

Written by, Jordan Barkley