Frank Woodley – Possessed. Review.

Frank Woodley – Possessed.

I have been a fan of Frank Woodley’s Comedy for many years. The kind of fan who spends long hours nestled in the branches of the eucalypt across the road from his apartment with nothing but a 210mm zoom lens and digital SLR camera for company hoping to catch just one glimpse of the comedian as he leaves his morning shower. However, the lack of nudity in Woodley’s comedy festival show did not detract at all from what I can only call a mesmerising performance.

A great mix of theatre and comedy, and with one of the most intricately detailed sets this reviewer has seen since the crew of Captain James Cook’s Endeavour performed their well received rock opera, “Possessed” is visually stunning. The soundtrack to the show, composed by Paul Mac, is also outstanding and contributes buckets of atmosphere.

Unlike many comedy festival acts, the show has a very strong narrative in which a young model ship builder who is too afraid to even venture outside the front door of his home, becomes possessed by an Irish women who drowned in a shipwreck many years earlier. Amazingly, Woodley manages to carry off these two distinctly different characters and develop a strong relationship between the two. Of course, Frank Woodley being Frank Woodley, the show contains some truly hilarious and somewhat dangerous looking stunts as the performer launches himself from railings and down staircases in pursuit of laughs. And laughs he receives! Yet, the show is not only a cack-fest. I was moved. There can only be a handful of people alive today who could successfully pull off such a warped, funny and sad show such as this and, while I don't know who any of them could be, one of them might well be Frank Woodley. Courageous stuff.

Review by george