Theatre Review: The Lifespan of a Fact

Show: The Lifespan of a Fact

Where: Fairfax Studio, the Arts Centre

Until: 10 July

Stars: 4.5

I'm not sure what I was more excited about - going to the theatre or putting on grown up clothes, some make up and perfume. And to be honest, I wasn't expecting to get to this play with the current restrictions, of which one is there are no more than 75 people in the auditorium for a performance. 

Yes, 75 people. The Fairfax holds around 300. The Sumner Theatre, around double that. The Princess Theatre, where Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is playing holds over 1000. 

So how do you choose those 75 people to come along. Well, as Jay and I are subscribers, and it seems, going by that demographic in the theatre, that we were lucky enough to be on the list to see this gem of a play by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell and Gordon Farrell. 

The MTC website describes the story as such:

"While interning at an eminent literary magazine, recent graduate Jim Fingal is thrilled when his editor offers him a career-making opportunity: fact check venerated essayist John D’Agata’s exploration of a disturbing Las Vegas reality, which is going to press in five days. It sounds simple enough, but when Fingal is still unravelling the inconsistencies and literary liberties of the first sentence three days later, he realises he has a problem. So he does what any thorough young up-and-comer with something to prove would do: he goes straight to the source. It could be the biggest mistake, or the best decision, of his life."

The most wonderful thing about this play is it is based on the true story of John D'Agata, who had his story fact checked by John Fingal. The two wrote a book about this.

I loved this. The cast, consisting of Nadine Garner as Emily (the editor), Steve Mouzakis as John (the author) and Karl Richmond was wonderfully gormless as Jim. All were excellent. Petra Kalive's direction is fast paced and funny, allowing the nuances of the situation to come out in the best ways. 

What got me about this play was it really looked at what is the truth, and where can the truth be bent. There were times when you wanted to strangle Joe for his pedantic nature, but by the end of the play, you could see some of his points. 

And it had me laughing, shaking my head and very thankful that I write fiction. 

The most disconcerting thing of the production was being one of 75 lucky people to see this. Used to being in full theatres, having a braying laugh is bad enough - you feel exposed when you laugh out loud. Wanting the cast to hear thunderous applause, but knowing that 75 people don't make that much noise at a curtain call was a bit disappointing, more for them, than us. 

But they were on and the play was great. This comes highly recommended. 

Today's Song: