Alana’s Score: 4 playbills
Chances are we all know, or are connected to, someone on the Autism spectrum. You might have seen some behaviour that is a little bit different from your own, or you’ve experienced someone who’s not quite comfortable in social situations. There are so many intricate layers to ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and I don’t profess to know them intimately by any means. But after seeing The Aspie Hour I can safely say I’m more familiar with one condition: Asperger’s.
Created and performed by the hugely talented Sophie Smyth and Ryan Smedley, The Aspie Hour is a charming, witty, gorgeously irreverent insight into the everyday trials and tribulations of two people diagnosed with Asperger’s – who also happen to share an unbridled passion for musical theatre.
With Musical Director Rainer Pollard on stage on the keys, you’ll be taken on two wonderful journeys as the performers each take a turn to tell their stories – Smedley recounts a tale of travelling to New York City on his own, and Smyth presents her life in the form of a deconstructed musical.
In his Melbourne-to-Broadway tale, Smedley performs a combination of classic musical theatre songs and his own compositions. Most memorable is the lovely ‘Manhattan Skyline’. His style is easy and understated, painting beautiful pictures through song and entertaining with a cheeky charm.
Smyth uses well-known songs from more modern musicals as her soundtrack, but has updated them with her own (deeply entertaining) lyrics to use in her ironically formulaic musical-of-my-life story. Her bold, gutsy approach is a nice complement to Smedley’s more reserved style.
The song lyrics throughout are incredibly funny. Both Smyth & Smedley are endearingly self-deprecating and unapologetically honest about how Asperger’s affects them. It wouldn’t work if they were ashamed or embarrassed of who they are, or angry at the rest of us for not understanding.
The Aspie Hour offers a wonderful insight into what it’s like to live with Asperger’s (including things like attention to detail and love of lists, lack of emotional empathy, difficulty reading social cues and understanding facial expressions, a dislike of being touched, and more) all wrapped up in a heart-warming cabaret smattered with musical theatre numbers.
While those with musical theatre knowledge might get a little more enjoyment out of the more pointed insider jokes, you by no means need to be an expert, or even have an interest, in musical theatre. Go along for an entirely new and entertaining take on Autism, Asperger’s and the magic of musical theatre.
Alana Kaye – Theatre Now
14 – 18 January 2020
Venue: Carriageworks
Theatre Company: Sophie Smyth & Ryan Smedley
Duration: Approx. 60 Min
Ticket Prices:
$39–$45 + BF
plus booking fee
Tue – Fri 6pm
Sat 2:30pm (Followed by Q&A)
Ryan Smedley & Sophie Smyth
Delightfully irreverent and joyous cabaret from two talented performers who relate their experiences living with Asperger’s Syndrome through the prism of their love for musical theatre.
Writers and performers Ryan Smedley and Sophie Smyth use their shared passion for musicals – and plenty of jokes – to explore their experiences with ‘Aspieness’, from misreading social cues to their knack for recalling obscure musical theatre facts.
The Aspie Hour debunks common misconceptions about the neurological condition and celebrates the life-changing glee of big-hearted song and dance.
A Green Room Award-winner for Best Writing and nominee for Best Ensemble, The Aspie Hour played to sold out houses during its extended run at the 2018 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This heartfelt and hilarious cabaret comes complete with a custom-made replica Dorothy costume from The Wizard of Oz and as much perfectly memorised musical trivia as you can handle.
Creator/Writer/Performer: Ryan Smedley
Creator/Writer/Performer: Sophie Smyth
Director/Dramaturg: Fiona Scott-Norman
Musical Director/Pianist: Rainer Pollard
