The Receipt

The Receipt is a festival gem. It won't make you laugh till it hurts, but it will make you chortle with recognition, and smile for a long time afterwards. Will Adamsdale is a "professor"; Chris Branch is his side-kick, assistant, and extraordinary sound-effects man. Together they've uncovered a city, and David Attenborough-style, have set forth to reveal what they can about the mysterious lifestyle of inhabitants. The result is a very funny, clever, and sometimes quite beautiful analysis of modern life.

As they show city-dweller "Wiley" (also played by Adamsdale) grappling with office banter, swipe cards and voice recognition, Adamsdale and Branch use the brilliantly Spartan set and extremely clever lighting design to tell a story of hilarious futility. It falls a little flat in places, and could possibly be a bit shorter, but it's still a brilliant show, and well worth the journey to the Malthouse. Go see it.

The Receipt - Will Adamsdale and Chris Branch.

The Receipt is on at The CUB Malthouse, 5-28 April, Tue 9pm, Wed - Sat 9.30pm, Sun 5pm. Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 660 013, Venue Bookings 9685 5111 & at the door and malthousetheatre.com.au

Review by lou