Review: Australia’s Game The Musical

I must confess, the footy has never really been my cup of tea. The world of professional Australian football has always remained on my periphery, a strange culture swirling in testosterone and debauchery – with an element of blokes running a peculiar ball up and down a field.

And I have been content with my limited understanding. But the problem is, footy season has rolled around again and I’ve found myself surrounded by conversations I simply cannot participate in.

Thankfully I stumbled across an answer to my frustrations, professional Australian football explained in a format that I actually understand: musical theatre!

Writer/director/actor/producer of Australia’s Game, Alex Lykos identified that this world is ripe for musical satire. In the wake of the success of his critically acclaimed (and entirely different) Alex & Eve trilogy, which was immortalised in a feature film last year – and in spite of the fact that he had never written a musical – Lykos was determined.

Australia’s Game is centred on a love triangle of a different nature as it pursues the off-field antics of a professional football team and their coach (never quite distinguishing the league, not that I can tell the difference), the competitive ‘wags’ and a scandal that rocks the entire team.

Light hearted and often drawing uproarious laughter from the crowd, this play takes on recognisable themes and stereotypes in a playful way. I often found myself marvelling at the scenarios which were all so similar to football news-dramas my boyfriend has attempted to explain to me, time and again, as my eyes glaze over…

This production has the feel that it was staged by a small town theatre society, and that’s not to discredit it. It certainly won’t win any awards for its set and staging, but it has a sophisticated narrative spine, a charismatic and talented cast and an ambitious video component.

Much like the unlikely emerging football star he portrays, Timothy Love steals the show with his impressive voice – notably on the ballad ‘Premature Ejaculation’.

It would be a shame not to see Australia’s Game return to the stage on a bigger budget, but in the meantime any footy nut (or peripheral fan) would be doing themselves a disservice if they didn’t check this out. (AM)

**3/4

Until Apr 17, Thurs-Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm. The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville. $23-$28. Tickets & info: bulldogtheatre.com or 9550 3666