Chunderbelly
The popular television drama Underbelly was a huge success in Australia and many documentaries and specials have popped up in response to its popularity. Matt Byrne is wearing many caps for his latest offering including that of writer, director, producer and actor. Chunderbelly is a spoof that focuses on the Moron family from the western suburbs of Birkenhead. His script pokes fun at the absurdity that lies at the belly of all crime families.
Matt has assembled a strong cast to narrate a tale of life on the wrong side of the law. Each cast member is responsible for bringing to life several characters. By glorifying the acts of violence and a life of crime they achieve the paradoxical effect of making them both trivial and hilarious. It was essential that Matt use a confident cast as there are more than enough four letter words to go around. Stereotypical characters were taken to the extreme but with funny results. Even funnier was the ease with which the cast interacted with the audience. Some of the most comical moments sprang from accidental blunders and left the audience in stitches.
The family matriarch played by Kim York was as foul-mouthed as her sons and convincingly achieved the right amount of street smarts and sass to pull it off. Her sons Snarl Moron and Joey Moron were played respectively by Marc Clement and Brendan Cooney. Both actors were likeable and made sure to milk the gags for every drop of laughter. Brendan’s portrayal of a llama was side splitting. Matt Byrne rounds out the cast with his comfortable portrayal of Slippery moron.
The script, although outrageous, at times elicits the right amount of shock, embarrassment and of course laughter. The cast use the tight performance space well. The toe tapping soundtrack takes you back in time, but musical numbers were hit and miss.
The key is to not take it too seriously and enjoy the ride for we are witness to a slice of the underworld with hilarious results.
Kerry Cooper
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