Foreign Bodies

A high profile American female porn star with a long list of credits, who's recently written a tell-all autobiography, is in Mumbai ostensibly to play the goddess Kali in a 'serious' movie role, where she's interviewed by a male journalist from Sydney for the culture section of a magazine.

This somewhat unlikely scenario is the basis of Sly Rat Theatre Co's Foreign Bodies, a play which examines the uncomfortable relationship many men have with pornography - prejudices, preconceptions, double standards and blanket judgements are all spotlighted in a thought-provoking manner.

While interesting conceptually, the play didn't work so well in execution. Its central conceit - that this young, inexperienced journalist (already uncomfortable in an alien environment and suffering from stomach cramps/food poisoning to boot) thrust into the position of interviewing an intelligent, streetsmart, tough as nails porn star would have the nerve to take liberties sufficient to turn it into a confessional discussion and battle of egos, then attempt to hold his own against her - was not easily believable. What made it even less so was that he appeared to be the world's most inept journalist, utterly ill-prepared and with no idea even of how to phrase questions in such a way as to provoke a desired response.

Alan Chambers in this role seemed to be relying on boyish charm for the most part, then falling into unconvincing histrionics at the climax, which is played out against the backdrop of the 2008 Mumbai shooting/bombing attacks (a socio-political crisis which seemed oddly tacked on, its significance not made clear).

As porn star Arizona Wood, Marika Marosszeky delivered a more nuanced performance - strong, guarded, in control and yet  vulnerable. Unfortunately, the two performers failed to connect sufficiently to communicate any sense of intimacy and certainly no eroticism or sexual charge was in evidence, despite the (partially) unclad flesh on display.

With the casting and script both problematic, it’s perhaps not surprising the overall result fell well short of the standard previously achieved by director Chris Baldock with his own Mockingbird Theatre productions. Foreign Bodies needs more time and work invested in further refining its potential. As it currently stands, this new Australian play promises more than it ultimately delivers.

Alex Paige

Photographer: Dan A'Vard.