Fu@k! I Killed The Director review | Alright? Comedy | Melbourne Fringe Festival | The Motley Wherehaus

In Fu@k! I Killed The Director, Cherry and John (Alana Louise and Jason Schwab) are moments away from taking to the stage for Romeo & Juliet when they kill their director. But the show must go on, and so, in blood-splattered clothing and with blood on their hands that would make Lady Macbeth proud, they head before the audience. Staying in character is one thing, but getting through the performance proves much harder as doubts and insecurities about their chosen careers begin to creep in, sending the pair into a delirious nightmare.

As we take our seats, we see the duo warming up to audio recordings discussing various acting theories and techniques, highlighting the skill required to succeed in the industry. But this is as serious as it gets, as we quickly fall into elaborate movie scene reenactments, ridiculous role plays and general kookiness. The contrast between their preparation and what follows sets the tone for a night that is happy to have fun with the craft while still having something worthwhile to say.

Louise and Schwab share excellent energy and rapport and complementing each other’s different approaches. By comparison, Schwab is more restrained, getting plenty of mileage from his facial expressions and physicality, while Louise is more exuberant, particularly when she slips into one of the production’s many accents or heightened personas. Their contrasting styles give them a dynamic balance that does not overpower the other. A particular highlight comes when John begins processing what has happened, leading to repeated fits of screaming and collapsing, while Cherry tries numerous ways to calm him down. The physical comedy and clowning work well here, with Schwab leaning into the panic while Louise remains focused on controlling the situation.

Beneath the silliness, Fu@k! I Killed The Director is really about silencing the inner director, that nagging voice that tells us we are not good enough and should not even bother trying. Cherry and John talk about rejection and auditioning for roles they already know they probably will not get. Success can arrive when you least expect it, and the challenge is not to let insecurity consume the possibility that something might work out. It is a hopeful idea, but the comedy keeps it from becoming overly earnest, allowing it to land without feeling like a lecture.

The audience is also drawn into this, turning into active participants rather than passive observers as we guess movie scenes being depicted and kill our own self-doubt. There are times when it is not immediately clear what is happening or where the production is taking us, but that uncertainty becomes part of the experience. We are encouraged to lean in, follow our curiosity and trust that things will make sense in time, much like the characters are being asked to trust themselves. The escalating absurdity works particularly well, building towards a neat twist that brings the show's ideas about the way our minds can spiral into extreme overdrive sharply into focus.

Fu@k! I Killed The Director is a funny, chaotic and surprisingly uplifting reminder that sometimes the biggest obstacle to success is the voice in our own heads. Louise and Schwab throw themselves into the production with total commitment, creating an entertaining ride that has a much more positive message when you look beyond all the blood, role-playing and mayhem. Sometimes the only thing to do is stop second-guessing yourself and get on the stage, whatever form that might take.

Read our interview with performers Alana Louise and Jason Schwab here.

SHOW DETAILS 

Venue: The Motley Wherehaus, 432 Queen St, Melbourne
Season: until 18 October | 6.20pm

Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $30 Full | $25 Conc | $22.5 Hump Day Wednesday
Bookings: Melbourne Fringe Festival

Images credit: Joe Kenny