The Ugly One by Marius Von Mayenburg

The production brought to the stage by An Arts Radar and Griffin Independent it is a Sydney premiere. This is the last production for the year at the SBW Stables Theatre in Darlinghurst. It was a good play to finish this year, it is funny, thought provoking but above all entertaining.
It is a challenging play with actors playing more than one character, without leaving the stage. The only way you could tell was by the actors body language and acting ability. I know that some reviews had said this was confusing and I agree there were times when I couldn't quite tell who was who. I have to say it wasn't until half way through the play that I realised that the plastic surgeon and Lette's boss were two different people, however, this might not be the productions or Jo Turner's fault this could have been me just being dumb!
What is it about? It is a simple storyline. A guy, Lette (Eden Falk) can't go to a conference to present his invention because he is too ugly. The trouble is that he didn't realise he was ugly. He decides to have plastic surgery, which goes very well, too well as now all the women and men love him. The plastic surgeon is over the moon and creates more like him. So things all get a bit out of hand. Though the story is simple the underlying questions are clear, how much would you sacrifice?  And how as humans have forgotten what is important in life?  The play might make you think twice if you are considering plastic surgery.
Gig Clarke creates the surgery with just a microphone and his voice, this is very funny and makes you cringe at the same time. The scene when Lette's wife tells him that he is ugly is also very funny, but a little sad at the same time. So yes, there are quite a few emotions you go through with this play.
I am looking forward to interviewing Sarah Giles the Director on Monday on our radio show The Hubbub. The interview will be posted on this blog next week.
The show plays until 17 December, so if you want to escape the Christmas cheer head to laughter instead with The Ugly One.