Photo of Barnie Duncan as a newspaper obsessed hermit in his play ...Him. At the Basement Theatre from September 16 to 20.
Anyone who reads a newspaper should see this play. And anyone who writes one. And even anyone who doesn't. This one-man show is a such a delight, full of perfectly pitched comedy, clever crossword solutions, and poignant considerations of information, isolation, and escape, that we can only hope it gets
another (longer) run in future.
Written and performed by Barnie Duncan, the play delves into the world of a reclusive loner who never leaves his apartment, and who only interacts with the outside world through the daily delivery of a newspaper.
His walls, windows, ceiling, and furniture, are all covered in newspaper, laid out with both coherent and incoherent intentions, and seated around the edge of the room with Duncan roving freely, the audience are totally immersed in his world.
The play differs every night depending on the news thrown up by the paper each day, and Duncan's very skilful interpretation of the coverage, and his linking of events with past stories is a feat to behold. Tuesday's "If you live in New Zealand, you are being watched" Edward Snowden quotes were utilised particularly well, and Duncan gave the best interpretation of "electronic communications" I've seen.
It's not all about the news though. Duncan equally explores the cliches of life style, food, celebrity, and relationship pieces, which adds a certain amount of whimsy as he does everything from cook corn fritters, to go on a first date, with only the aid of ingenious newspaper craft.
