Warning: Explicit Material by Geoffrey Atherden

First up, this has to be the most intellectual play I have seen this year. You can tell it is written by an award winning writer.  This is a world premiere and I wouldn't be at all surprised it if doesn't go on to win many international prizes.  It has to tick all the boxes of what makes an outstanding play and one that I believe will stand the test of time. It is funny, it is shocking, it is entertaining but most of all you go out knowing perhaps a little more about art and humanity, even questioning your own beliefs.

So, what is it about? An egocentric artist (Barry Smith played by William Zappa) who really doesn't care about anybody; he just wants to leave his mark on the earth. In the 1960's he is part of the Sydney Push and the Libertarian movement, trying to push the boundaries. He causes many a stir, mainly because all of his paintings contain naked pictures of himself, usually having sex with his young muse. In the end he walks out on his family and lives as a recluse.  However, he suddenly receives two visitors, one is his daughter (Alex played by Michelle Doake) and the other is a bit of a mystery (go and see it to find out more!). I can tell you her name is Daisy, played by Jessica Sullivan. Between them they have quite an impact on the rather maudlin, depressed artist. It is the dialogue between father and daughter which delves deep into what art is. Why artists feel they need to shock, where the boundaries lie between admiring an artwork while not perhaps admiring the artist.  The dialogue is explicit and there is some swearing but it is not over the top.  Daisy is the epitome of innocence clashing with the rogue and sordidness of Barry.
The cast were superb, as was the staging, directing and costumes, even down to Daisy's nail varnish!
So, if you are an artist you will enjoy this and even if you know nothing about art you will by the end of the show as Alex sums up the complete history in just a few sentences!

Warning: Explicit Material is showing at the Ensemble Theatre Kirribilli until 10 December