Have you ever let your intrusive thoughts take over? Been faced with a situation and taken the chaotic route? Or been so frustrated that you just want to burn it all down?
Well, according to playwright Hamish Johnston, this feeling is called Kitty Litter! Proudly presented by A Serious Goose, this one act comedy is on at the MC Showroom for an extremely limited time. If you are a sucker for drama and a classic meltdown, Johnston’s new play is just what you are looking for.
Directed by Cameron Taylor in his directorial debut, Kitty Litter follows the story of two old friends in their twenties that are reunited after Dan (Hamish Johnson) comes home early from an overseas trip. Arriving at his apartment in a panic, Dan appears scattered, in shock even. Then, to his surprise, Robin (Sian Crowe) arrives at the apartment. Robin also appears to be in a state of panic and is just as surprised to see Dan, as he is to see her. The pair begin to catch up and there is clear tension between the two, as what would normally be a casual catch up turns into an extremely awkward conversation. Honestly? I just couldn’t look away.
This fly on the wall experience that takes a dramatic turn when the pair begin plotting revenge on a cheating ex. However, their plan begins to unravel when a cat gets caught in the crossfire and the pair head so far down the rabbit hole, there is no turning back!
Having known of Hamish Johnston’s project for some time, I was beyond excited to hear that the production was finally hitting the Melbourne stage. It was well worth the wait because oh my god, this play is something else!
Kitty Litter is more than just a drama or a comedy, it dives deep into the human psyche and explores the irrational decisions that people make when they are blinded by passion and revenge. How a simple plan can quickly spin out of control, and no matter what you try to do to fix it, it just makes things worse.
But what makes Johnston’s writing so damn good is how he has transformed an otherwise dark and almost evil plot into a hilarious comedy. Johnston’s commendable writing is witty, sharp and had me on the edge of my seat, as I watched Dan and Robin try to work their way out of a deep hole.
The excellent direction from Cameron Taylor is faultless and combined with lighting from Jason Bovaird, Kitty Litter is perfection. At times, it even felt cinematic, like I was watching a short film or binging my favourite drama series. The set, designed by Alice Vance and built by Hamish Johnston himself, makes perfect use of the intimate theatre space, thoroughly capturing a classic apartment vibe.
If the writing, lighting and direction wasn’t already blowing my mind, it was the flawless character portrayals by Hamish Johnston, Sian Crowe and Stuart Daulman. Johnston and Crowe are incredible as Dan and Robin, respectively. Clearly friends, clearly more but also… clearly less. Their delivery is brilliant and the rhythm that the pair have as they bicker is as good as comedy legends, such as Lano & Woodley. Their fight scene, well, more like Crowe hurling kitchen utensils at Johnston, is one of the funniest things I’ve seen on stage for a long time.
And then we have Stuart Daulman as the ex-lover slash cheating dirtbag that falls victim to Dan and Robin’s scheme. I have never seen Daulman on stage, and after seeing Kitty Litter, it won’t be the last time. His portrayal of Brian is fantastic and had the entire MC Showroom in stitches. Even Johnston and Crowe were struggling trying not to break. His comedy is that damn good, Daulman is clearly a master of his craft.
You might be wondering, what about The Cat? Well, there is a cat, but not what you might be expecting. Before the show as I entered the MC Showroom, a ‘cat’ was laying on the couch. Clearly a member of the cast, in a cat onesie, black uggies and a furry cat mask with bright yellow eyes. The Cat interacted with members of the audience, even handing out beers from the mini-fridge and inviting someone to chill on the couch and ‘watch tv’.
However, the most hilarious part of the whole pre-show entertainment was how cat-like this ‘cat’ was. Knocking cans off the kitchen bench, playing with the chain lock on the door, to clawing at the rug on the couch, and more. It was a wonderful introduction to the show and had me chuckling before the real drama started. A gift for those theatre folk that love coming in early.
What makes this show even more impressive is that it is completely independent. Yes, Hamish Johnston, with support from friends and other creatives, has created Kitty Litter fully independently and everyone involved deserves a standing ovation. Well, they did because as soon as this play ended, I and the rest of the MC Showroom, couldn’t jump up to our feet quick enough!
Kitty Litter is unlike anything I have ever seen. Pure gold and bloody brilliant (literally). You will be smiling and stunned long after you’ve left the theatre. I was enthralled from start to finish, laughing, gasping, hanging on the edge of my seat, having my own ‘aha!’ moments as the script unravelled, and just genuinely and thoroughly enjoying every moment of this glorious show.
Kitty Litter is short, sharp and shamelessly stupendous. Hamish Johnston with his audaciously clever brain and magic hands, has written a phenomenal book, created a set, and its results combined with the talented cast and crew, have merged their powers to create something truly astounding. It completely blew me away. Kitty Litter is undeniably a little Aussie theatrical triumph. If this is what this talented Australian playwright can provide in his debut, we cannot wait to see what else he can develop and share with the world.
The incredible success is bittersweet as Kitty Litter is only on at the MC Showroom in Melbourne for an extremely limited run. With two new shows announced this Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th of February. Please, support this incredibly fantastic, independent production before it’s too late.
For more information on Kitty Litter and ticketing, visit:
https://www.kittylitterplay.com
https://www.themcshowroom.com/whatson/kitty-litter
https://www.instagram.com/kittylitterplay
https://www.instagram.com/a.seriousgoose
Photography by Rhonin Xu.
