By Tim E. Stewart

First it was the spray-painted stencils “Certified Post-Arrivalist” on the footpaths of Sydney. Then there was a splattering of fluorescent stickers -- poles, bus shelters, traffic lights all Certified Post-Arrivalist.

The Post-Arrivalists, a formation of 10 or so performers wearing trademark pink uniforms and dark balaclavas, have staged appearances at a number of inner-Sydney events in the past year. They are armed only with audacity; stunts range from handing out dog-food on biscuits to a hungry Biennale audience, to railway scrap percussion at St James station.

In the lead-up to their performance at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney commuters were treated to a temper tantrum Post-Arrivalist style -- a tabletop truck complete with cage and Post-Arrivalists banging 44- gallon drums through peak hour traffic.

The bill posters warned “Wear: Sensible Shoes and Practical Slacks”.

With their inner-Sydney antics in mind, you couldn't help but expect the unexpected. With channel-changing pace the skits flicked from car culture to death-metal music, New Age relaxation tapes to Saturday afternoon sport. The visual humour was akin to the Goodies doing Australian popular culture: lanky-legged running after lawn-mowers, garbos doing step-aerobics.

But while all the theatrical energy was there, it was the message that was missing. Post-show, you're left in the wondering what it was all about. Comment? Cynicism? Criticism? Unfortunately, none of the above.

While there were some excellent sequences -- such as when the standing audience was circled and accosted by hoons in cars, conveying the panic and annoyance of being preyed upon whilst walking at night -- the overall content of the show needed more hammer and less mirror.

Dropping hundreds of empty cans, scattering sawdust and flour over the audience and dressing walls with treacle and cockroaches -- all fell short of making their mark.

The Post-Arrivalists should certify their project with a more progressive, less indulgent end.

This article was posted on the Green Left Weekly Home Page.
For further details regarding subscriptions and
correspondence please contact glw@greenleft.org.au

Tools

• Bookmark This Page
• Print This Page