Review – Xavier Michelides: Thawed
In a program full of stand-up gigs and variety shows, Xavier Michelides’ Thawed stands out like a (frozen) sore thumb. This show is maybe best described as a one-man science fiction comedy play with a social commentary undercurrent.
Set in a not-too-distant future where cryonics are a normal part of life, Thawed is both an adventure into futuristic technology and a collection of subtle observations and digs at everything from the current state of Australian politics, to tough family relationships, and being ‘that guy’ at a party. My first reaction was “I…what?”, and I suspect many of my fellow audience members felt the same way, but the thing is as soon as you accept the premise and get into it, you’ll be totally enthralled. It’s a bit like getting into a drama or fantasy show with a really complicated back story, except with cryonics.
Michelides clearly has a talent for not just doing a variety of different voices, but switching seamlessly between characters. It’s amazing to watch in and of itself; he doesn’t switch costumes or use props, yet you get this sense that you’re watching a completely different character, just from the different voice, mannerisms and posture. I feel like Thawed could even be a radio show, it’s that well written, but it does benefit from Michelides’ commanding physical presence on stage. One of the best things about this show, and something I didn’t really notice until afterwards, was the way he didn’t drop a single beat – no pauses for breath in between characters, no forgotten lines, no accidentally starting a line in one voice and then correcting.
It’s probably not for everyone, but it’s refreshingly different and really showcases Michelides’ range and timing. If you want to see something a little different in a great venue, check out Thawed before it closes.
Thawed is on every night of the Festival except Mondays, at the Trades Hall on Lygon Street
