Review: Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit
Picture: Jack Sharpe (Eli Bunyoung), Picture credit: Creative Futures Photography.
When you think of ‘youth arts,’ you may just be inclined to draw on ideas of students who are learning their craft—experimenting with ideas in front of friends and family and possibly performing in a drafty shed, and with limited resources. Think again. Backbone Youth Arts’ Awaken Festival challenges each of those narratives with a 2023 program that includes the impressive Fake Blood production of Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit.
In true adventure film style, Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit is promoted as an opportunity to ‘join the brave Jack Sharpe and the beautiful Lady Penelope as they race against time and the nefarious Dr. Invictus on their quest to reach the Tree of Knowledge [as...] the cast of Fake Blood [...] take you on the greatest adventure of all time through the cinematic history of adventure movies from the 1920’s to now.’ It certainly delivers on the promotional promises—and more.
Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit is a wonderful journey through a century of adventure films, tracing the representation of women and encouraging conversations about gender and violence in the adventure film genre. This may not be a comprehensive ‘history,’ but it is certainly detailed—citing almost 50 films and including stories that date back to the biblical Adam & Eve (‘the forbidden fruit’). The show is clever, funny, professional, beautifully-observed, and very well-researched. If you get to see Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit, I can promise that you’ll come away having had a fun evening out—and walk away with lots to think about.
I am also certain that you will also be keeping a close eye out for any future work by the three very talented artists: Ashlynn Parigi (roles including Eve and Lady Penelope), Eli Bunyoung (roles including Adam and Jack Sharpe), and Jaycob Beven-Delaney (roles including the Snake and Dr. Invictus).
Picture: Ashlynn Parigi (foreground), with Jaycob Beven-Delaney and Eli Bunyoung (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture (L to R): Ashlynn Parigi, Eli Bunyoung, and Jaycob Beven-Delaney (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Ashlynn Parigi (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Parigi, Bunyoung and Beven-Delaney’s ‘Fake Blood’ production is a success thanks also to the creative collaboration with Abbie Bryant and Alexander Clarke, and with the input of Wren Condren (Voice Over), Megan O’Brien, Adam Plant (Poster), Backbone, and Evie Ford (Understudy). Managing the technical aspects of this show is no mean feat, as the main screen (positioned above the live action) is used to project the film references, opening ‘trailers,’ ‘forbidden fruit’ film, and closing ‘interviews.’ So particular congratulations are due to Noah Milne (Tech and Lighting Design).
Favourite aspects of Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit? Well, it had to be the ‘fourth wall’ (‘Alex...’) references, the fabulous 007-style credits (complete with excellent ‘Bond theme music’ by Bee-Bee Riot), and the closing promotional interviews and podcast. But I also loved the detailed research, the entertaining Harry Potter and Indiana Jones references, the story arc of the whole show, and the high-energy performances by each of the three artists. And I enjoyed the clever use of the apples as a metaphor for opening the eyes of performers, creatives, commentators and audiences.
This is a show that absolutely deserves a wider audience, so I do hope that the Fake Blood artists and creatives look for new platforms for this show (perhaps Anywhere Fringe and Brisbane’s Comedy Festival?). Film buffs will love it, gender studies students will be enthralled, and the rest of us will just be there for an enjoyable night out.
For future showings, I’d suggest that the promotional information highlights the structure of the show—that is, there are entertaining trailers (running for approx. 15 mins) prior to the ‘main feature.’ I’d probably also consider reducing the length of the ‘Garden of Eden’ movie and perhaps getting more quickly through 21st Century film fights. But these are small pointers for consideration, as I strongly recommend Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit. Catch this ‘movie’ while you can.
Note: The 2023 Backbone Festival runs until 28 October. Why not get along to the comfort of the Ron Hurley Theatre and experience the Seven Hills Hub. The full program is available at https://backbone.org.au/awaken-backbone-festival-2023 (and the Kids and Family program is available at https://backbone.org.au/backbone-news/2023/9/22/kids-and-family-at-backbone-festival).
Picture: Eli Bunyoung in podcast mode (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Audience information: Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit (13, 19, 20 October), Backbone Youth Arts, Ron Hurley Theatre, 28 Tallowwood St, Seven Hills QLD 4170. 80 minutes, including circa 20 minutes of ‘trailers’ (no interval). 15+. Stage fights with the use of fake blood, and references to sexual assault, sexism, and animal cruelty. Tickets $25-30 (plus $1.25 booking fee).
The reviewer attended the Thursday 19 October 2023 performance (6pm). A version of this review first appeared at Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane.