★★★½
Clockwork Possum Productions makes a confident debut with The Last Parma Night, now playing at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran. Written by Max Meaden and directed by Will Nash, the production balances pub humour with heartfelt reflection in an ambitious original work.
The Last Parma Night is about a group of friends who, as a tradition, attend their local pub’s parma night together, but as time goes on, drift apart.
This straightforward concept is upended by the inclusion of a Christmas-Carol-style plot, where the main character has to face up to the mistakes he’s made and how he’s treated his friends through a series of flashbacks to Parma Nights Past.
The show’s flashback-driven structure adds an interesting theatrical wrinkle to the story, though it occasionally pulls focus from the emotional core of the narrative. When the story regains its footing and centres itself on the friendships at its heart, the production reveals its strengths.
The comedy is indeed funny, often in a crude, boyish sort of way, but it is balanced by a surprising emotional sincerity that gives the show a welcome sense of depth.
Performances are solid across the board. Max Meaden is strong in the lead role, showing a lot of range as the emotional core of the story.
Sue Rosenwax is memorable as the show’s primary antagonist with a larger-than-life performance more akin to a 20th-century Disney villain (in the best way possible).
Phil Lambert is the surprise of the night as the drunken Mr Punter. Later in the show, he briefly plays a father in the story’s most heartfelt scene.
Supporting cast members Alex Stock, Ryan Toft, Sam McLoughlan, and Lilly Betts give solid performances. By the end of the show, though, their characters feel somewhat under explored, limiting their opportunity to fully showcase their range.
From a production standpoint, the show is impressively put together. The set, also designed by Meaden, is a fitted-out pub, featuring taps, neon signs, a pool table and a slot machine, items which are used in dynamic ways throughout the show.
Lighting design by Lauren Trealor effectively helps distinguish the show’s heightened sequences from its more grounded flashbacks, guiding the audience between the two tones. There were occasional moments where cast members missed their lighting marks, but this will no doubt be smoothed out in further runs.
One recurring gag involves a character carrying around a pet rat, represented by a plush toy. The prop feels noticeably less polished than the otherwise impressive set design and production elements featured throughout the show.
Though not every narrative swing lands cleanly, The Last Parma Night remains a funny, heartfelt and impressively staged production from a company clearly unafraid to take creative risks. Clockwork Possum Productions has laid a sturdy foundation, and it will be exciting to see where the team goes next.
The Last Parma Night is presented by Clockwork Possum Productions and runs to 10 May at Chapel Off Chapel. 12 Little Chapel Street Prahran Vic 3181.
Tickets are available here!
Website: https://www.clockworkpossumproductions.com/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/thelastparmanight/
Images supplied.
