Lyttelton supper theatre

Press, 25 October 1985, Page 4

Lyttelton supper theatre

“Steve (Pink Bits) Thomas and Michael (Mime River) Lynch” at the Lyttelton Harbour Light Supper Theatre, 24 London Street, Lyttelton. October 24 to November 2. Running time: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reviewed by Gerrit Bahlman. A simple concept — a supper and talent — combine to make for a gem of an evening at the old Harbour Light Theatre. The trio of Steve Thomas, Michael Lynch and their irrepressible master of ceremonies, Peter Cameron, entertain in the purest form imaginable. As patrons quietly snack on the tasty morsels they are hauled out of their reveries and encouraged to join in a simple variety show formula.

Simple does not mean unskilled, rather it is an accolade directed at the appearance rather than the reality. The relaxed, spontaneous stand-up comic routine sustained by Peter Cameron for the evening, warmed the audience. The irreverent pompous, decidedly inebriated Kiwi loyalist with connections at the highest level of the Beehive was full of advice and confident appeals of “Don’t ya reckon.” Revelations about the New Zealand scene, its inner workings and the truth about Ronald Reagan were just some of the titbits that “Dick” was pre-

pared to share with us from his deep and personal commitment to the betterment of New Zealand and its peoples. Steve Thomas, introduced as one of New Zealand’s finest, entered bedecked in leopard leotard, white gardening gloves, black rimmed glasses, tennies and wig, shared his poetry with us.

Beginning with a fish trilogy, we learnt of Johnny Burton’s demise on the back of a surfboard as a vengeful shark had its wicked way, the biggest suckers of the sea — the whales — and a little ditty entitled “It’s So Fishy.” Steve Thomas’s performance poetry depends on the visual impact of his delivery for its effect. The outrageous costume and the deliberate use of the microphone to generate a sense of intimacy are necessary to become involved in his poetry-cum-lyrics. His material varied from comic satire, using run-on puns, to surprisingly sensitive material such as his musically backed “Clyde” which raised the issue of land despoliation. His most effective material used flute and guitar music as a mood setting background which he used for rhythm and timing. His commitment to blues came through clearly and suggested a wealth of poten-

tial in the extension of the live music component of his work. The outstanding find of the evening was Mime River (Michael Lynch). Born in Michigan, U.S.A., and having trained and performed in Europe, this man has calibre. His mime craft is full of the lovable fool. His communication skills in mime were eloquently demonstrated in just two pieces. In his opening “Hello” he finds himself trapped behind a soundproof wall — a standard in any mime artist’s repertoire — but presented with an element of comedy which quickly won his audience. His “tongue wrestling” second demonstration was equally impressive. His range of capabilities, a remarkable control of his eye muscles, a juggling sequence and his swallowing and chewing of lighted cigarettes were welded together by a charming, naive wit. Juggling as the antidote to depression — food as a deadly habit; ideas presented with comic ingenuity. Michael Lynch will perform at the Arts Centre Market tomorrow for the children at no cost. If you can’t see him perform at the Harbour Light then take your children and see him there. He will be well worth the effort.