The Boat People

The Boat People concerns a couple of purported Iranian refugees who long ago arrived in Australia illegally on-board leaky boats. They make it big time with a range of fast food with kooky non-PC names, get rich, get noticed by the media and then cruise into politics. This is a comedy satirising current supposed Anglo-Australian attitudes to refugees who are happy to refer to themselves by the very non-PC term ‘reffos’.

Three of the four actors are stand-up comedians and the show does feel more like a comedy festival series of riffs on the topic of illegal refugees and Australian social and political culture. Susie Youssef, William Erimya and Luke Joseph Ryan all too often seem to be disconnected from the show by playing solo to the audience. Only Emily Rose Brennan as Melanie appears to be fully immersed into her character. She’s excellent overall, especially in her switch from passive journalist to gung-ho political issues manager. But she often appears to be in a different play, as the other actors often play stand-up solos.

The set consists of an oversized couch, which is somewhat interesting and is effective for the limited action that takes place. The play begins with a lyrical vision of the ocean, reminding us of where this couple came from and the view they have today. That’s nice. But once the couch is revealed beneath its silvery skin it serves as the set for the rest of the play – with a few changes of cushions. Unfortunately, the action is very static, as it takes place either on or around the couch. And there are many frantic entrances and exits in classic restoration farce style.

The play is overlong for the slimness of its content, in fact, a Dramaturg sitting next to me said that he wished that it had been much shorter. The Boat People would likely make a suitable comedy series for SBS or ABC television, as its more TV sitcom than clever comic theatre. But there is a nice view of the ocean from the terrace at the Bondi Pavilion where it’s playing.

Stephen Carnell

Images: Emily Rose Brennan & Emily Rose Brennan, Susie Youssef and William Erimya.