Someone Like Thomas Banks

Someone Like Thomas Banks is a wonderful unique opportunity to be offered insight into the complex life of an earnest, intelligent and astute young man with Cerebral Palsy.  It is a moving and joyful work that celebrates difference and highlights the need for more disability friendly Theatre.

It may be a bit tricky to understand exactly what Thomas Banks is saying, at times, when he is talking, but he kindly suggests that we don’t worry too much because most of what he is trying to communicate will be made clear - and it is.

There is Auslan translation throughout allowing for easy engagement by members of the Deaf community and those who understand Australia’s very own language for the Deaf.

Banks uses a number of methods of to get his message across.  Multi-media, including an interactive video is used to great, clarifying effect.

This show courageously delves into the wishes and desires of a young gay man.  But in a more universal sense will touch anyone who has hoped for the elusive attainment of a sexual partner to love and sleep next to.  It is poignant.

Someone Like Thomas Banks has been developed over time with Director Lucy Freeman from its inception as part of the Platform Youth Theatre 2010 Provokateur project.  It honors the disabled in many ways including providing a disabled entrance to 45 Downstairs which offered quite and adventure in feeling vulnerable and a little on edge walking through darkened laneways to get to the ground floor performance space without the use of stairs.

Banks who is many things including a proactive champion for disability recently had my table cleared at Malthouse and engaged my companion and I in conversation about what we were going to see.  He is very obviously a dynamic young theatre devotee.

He involves audience members an in this way adds another echelon of understanding most particularly the realization that one may need to slow down a bit and just take a little more time and effort to listen sometimes to fully understand what is being said.

This wonderful and cleverly managed show is well worth catching – don’t be sorry you missed it. 

Suzanne Sandow

Photographer:  Gemma Osmond

Credits

Thomas Banks – Writer/Performer

Lucy Freeman – Director

Gayelene Carbis – Writer

Nina Barry-Macaulay – Dramaturge

Canada White – Stage Manager, Set Designer, “Lorraine”

Scott Allen – Lighting Design

Lynn Gordon – Auslan Interpreter