Mr Burns

Yes, it is THAT Mr Burns!

For the uninitiated, Mr Burns is a character in the long running animated series The Simpsons. Written by Anne Washburn, and presented by State Theatre Company and Belvoir, Mr Burns entertains perfectly for those with no Simpsons knowledge and adds a whole new layer for the majority who do.

This ‘post-electric play’ opens with a group of survivors in a world without power, reminiscing about the ‘Cape Fear’ episode of The Simpsons. This eclectic group later become the hit theatrical troupe of the new world, specialising in recreating episodes of the show. This is not a plot-driven piece, but rather one about stories and how they evolve and survive through the ages.

Director Imara Savage has delivered an entertaining and tight comedy with a great mix of Art and Pop Culture, which is enhanced by the creative team of Carol Young, Jonathon Oxlade, Chris Petridis, Jeremy Silver and Lucas Jervies. Oxlade’s set and costume design also take the journey through the time leaps perfectly, from the post-apocalyptic basics of throwing it all together, to the more refined future ‘performance’ in act two.

The audience is taken on some interesting conceptual leaps - a play within a play, within a play – all of which are well executed. Each scene takes us further forward in time, which can be a little confusing but actually makes sense when the mind has those few seconds to adjust.

The Simpsons is just the pop culture reference used to ponder a world Post Nuclear Meltdown; the play is more about memories and stories and how they grow and become written into history. There is the nurturer (Marge); the good-natured bumbler (Homer); the thinker (Lisa); the hero, yes, the hero (Bart); the villain (Mr Burns); with his loyal sidekicks (Itchy & Scratchy) and even baby Maggie makes an appearance.

The captivating and exquisite ensemble cast comprises Paula Arundell, Mitchell Butel, Esther Hannaford, Jude Henshall, Brent Hill, Ezra Juanta and Jacqy Phillips. They play a variety of roles and all provide strong performances. Washburn’s script allows the cast to take the audience on a journey, from the harrowing story of Radiation Poisoning from Jacqy Phillips’ character Maria, to the light-heartedness of Butel’s character Gibson.

For those who are fans of The Simpsons, Butel’s Montgomery Burns is just as we all know and love him - slimy and evil. However, this cast is an ensemble and each and every one works in sync with the other to create what can only be described as an unusual, different but ultimately entertaining piece of theatre.

Maxine Grubel

Photographer: Tony Lewis.