Sublime Avenue review (Melbourne International Comedy Festival)

Neighbours. Everybody needs good neighbours. That’s the saying isn't it? While it may not be Ramsay Street, Sublime Avenue comes with its own set of unique characters and in the show with the same name, Taylor Griffiths explores the charms - and the not-so-charming aspects - of suburban living.

There's lots to laugh at in this solo character sketch show, but the highlights would have to be her portrayal of a construction foreman detailing to his staff the 230 things they can no longer do on site due to OH&S regulations, and a local voyeur who’s hell-bent on catching couples in the act of kissing. Griffiths also has some lovely exchanges with her audience between sketches, which feel genuine and convey her ease with what she is doing. Despite its fictitious nature, this adds an extra layer of authenticity to the work and for us to connect with these people.

Broni Lisle’s direction guides the scenes for each sketch, with movements generally being quite distinctive to each character. However, nothing surpasses the Metricon Homes commercial parody, where Griffiths sashays across the stage in the most awkwardly hilarious ways possible while attempting to sell dream properties to potential buyers.

Towards the end though, the characters begin to blur, with little differentiation between them. Their voices, physicality, and Griffiths’ energy start blending into one, suggesting the need for a possible rethink not only of who is portrayed but also how they are portrayed.

There’s a bittersweetness to this hodgepodge of people living on Sublime Avenue. Griffiths hints that this way of life is coming to an end, with commercial development not only displacing the characters who live there, but also erasing the very character of the properties themselves.

Sublime Avenue offers a sharp yet poignant look at suburban life on the cusp of change, with Griffiths capturing the humour and heart of this quirky community. It’s an opportunity to laugh, reflect, and consider what we're losing in the face of constant development, and what becomes of places like Sublime Avenue.

Show Details

Venue: Theory Bar, 19-23 Meyers Place, Melbourne
Season: until 20 April | Wed - Sat 8.15pm, Sun 7.15pm
Duration: 50 minutes
Tickets: $32 Full | $27 Concession
Bookings: Melbourne International Comedy Festival

 

Taylor Griffiths