WHEN you mention ‘the Bali holiday’ to a Perth local, they already know what the vacation looks like, says homegrown theatre maker Chris Isaacs.
“The poolside drinking, the bartering at the markets, the type of Australian traveller, and the loudness and uncouthness of it all; there are so many things that come to mind and that helps us as storytellers,” he said.
“Also, there’s the way people act differently there to how they do here: I’ve seen some shocking behaviour from people staying at the same hotel as me. It was disgusting and embarrassing really.
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READ NOW“I think when people go on holiday, they feel they have a licence to be a certain way.”
Bali – the iconic cheap and easy destination of many Aussie tourists – is the locale and namesake of Isaac’s latest production.
Founding member of Perth theatre collective The Last Great Hunt, Isaac performs in the comedy alongside fellow member and celebrated actor-writer Jeffrey Jay Fowler.
The guys revisit characters Jimmy and Corgan from their 2015 hit show FAG/STAG, exploring privilege, class and the tourist in us all.
Three years on, the best friends are taking a trip to celebrate Corgan’s mum’s 60th birthday.
“They have changed, they’re different people – three years is a long time – and there are little differences to how they act with each other and how they look at the world around them,” Isaacs said.
“With both characters, we’ve taken truths of not just ourselves but people we know and blended them into both characters, so there’s a part of me in Corgan and also in Jimmy.”
Isaacs said FAG/STAG looked at masculinity and the relationship between two men while Bali highlighted how getting what you want can affect somebody else.
“It sounds a bit corny but if audience members can walk out of the theatre and think, ‘I should treat other people better’ then that is a nice thing to have happen,” he said.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Bali
When: October 18-28
Where: Subiaco Arts Centre – Studio
Tickets: www.ptt.wa.gov.au/venues/subiaco-arts-centre/whats-on/bali/