The Wrap, by Taylor Mac, The Forum Theatre, Melbourne Festival, Sunday October 22nd 2017
"The Wrap" by Taylor Mac was presented at the Forum Theatre for the Melbourne Festival for one night only on Sunday October 22nd 2017.
For those new to my blog I write about the holistic experience of attending the theatre. I buy my own tickets. So if you want a re-telling of the story please refer to the links for further information or for further insights. Note, that I may provide different links for repeated main words or phrases. I write for my memories of what I have seen, and it is more of a stream of consciousness.
"The Wrap" by Taylor Mac was presented at the Forum Theatre for the Melbourne Festival for one night only on Sunday October 22nd 2017.
No programme was available for the event.
"The Wrap" by Taylor Mac was meant to be an event to close the Melbourne Festival and sadly was not up to the standard of the "The Inauguration". We were expecting a party, celebration, and an event to be remembered. We thought there would be the obligatory thanking of the Melbourne Festival staff and local artists. Yes this occurred but briefly so with no mention of Jonathon Holloway.
The show began at 7.10 pm and was over at 8.20 pm as he had a 12.30 or 12.45 am flight to Cambodia. He basically apologised due to the mix up in the time thinking he was flying out a day later. This is not good project management.
There was a lack of atmosphere and the audience participation was negligible. The nine straight men that came on stage and then "camped it up" was probably the most fun for the night. The ceremonial funereal exit of the substitute Judy Garland received an enthusiastic reception as a lady was carried out to the foyer to Taylor Mac singing.
Prince's song "Purple Rain" received an enthusiastic response and looked scant with about thirty purple balloons thrown into the crowd.
The finale to Ted Nugent's song was supposed to be a final Prom night dance as we had been instructed at "The Inauguration". Here the instructions were minimalist and the audience did not have the same level of cooperation or respect as per the Hamer Hall audience. There it was a special event. Here it felt forced and the talking of audience had to be shushed by Taylor Mac. There was nothing special about this section, especially when there were quite a few people not dancing with anyone. To add insult to the meaning of this finale some people danced with a person of the opposite sex rather than dancing with someone of the same sex. It was a knife into the wounds to add insult to injury into the meaning and spirit of this finale. Thankfully, we have great memories of "The Inauguration" and the sensational Prom night dance finale.
The preamble to the encore that we heard at "The Inauguration" was fun and engaging. Here it felt as if he just wanted to get off the stage and make that flight. This was understandable too.
There was a crowd surfing moment that was repeated in the finale encore to rapturous applause.
The Melbourne Festival Lounge upstairs at the Forum Theatre looks fabulous and has a wonderful ambiance with little nooks and crannies to make a small group cosy. I wish this venue was open for this type of pre-show and post-show drinks as per the Campbell Bar at Grand Central Station in New York.
No programme was available for the event.
The show began at 7.10 pm and was over at 8.20 pm as he had a 12.30 or 12.45 am flight to Cambodia. He basically apologised due to the mix up in the time thinking he was flying out a day later. This is not good project management.
There was a lack of atmosphere and the audience participation was negligible. The nine straight men that came on stage and then "camped it up" was probably the most fun for the night. The ceremonial funereal exit of the substitute Judy Garland received an enthusiastic reception as a lady was carried out to the foyer to Taylor Mac singing.
Prince's song "Purple Rain" received an enthusiastic response and looked scant with about thirty purple balloons thrown into the crowd.
The finale to Ted Nugent's song was supposed to be a final Prom night dance as we had been instructed at "The Inauguration". Here the instructions were minimalist and the audience did not have the same level of cooperation or respect as per the Hamer Hall audience. There it was a special event. Here it felt forced and the talking of audience had to be shushed by Taylor Mac. There was nothing special about this section, especially when there were quite a few people not dancing with anyone. To add insult to the meaning of this finale some people danced with a person of the opposite sex rather than dancing with someone of the same sex. It was a knife into the wounds to add insult to injury into the meaning and spirit of this finale. Thankfully, we have great memories of "The Inauguration" and the sensational Prom night dance finale.
The preamble to the encore that we heard at "The Inauguration" was fun and engaging. Here it felt as if he just wanted to get off the stage and make that flight. This was understandable too.
Many in the audience for "The Wrap" were using their mobile phones: texting or searching during the show. Some took photos and video of the show. As we stood up the very back of the theatre we could see a lot or rude people talking very loudly during the show and pre-occupied with their phones. Why did they bother coming to the show?
The show ran for seventy minutes which was twenty minutes shorter than scheduled.
"The Wrap" obtained a 6/10 while my partner gave it a 4/10 as he was very disappointed.
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