Review: The Agent

**Picture:** *The Agent,* Image credit: Creative Futures Photography.

The world of real estate is a highly relevant, and slightly murky, pond in which to delve for black comedy and social comment. In the program note, Meryn Cooper, the creative writer, creator and leading actor in Zebramez Creative’s latest work, describes The Agent ‘as a love letter to absurdity.’ Anyone who has been through the tortuous process of buying, selling or renting a place to live in Brisbane can definitely relate to the ‘if I didn’t laugh about it, I’d probably cry’ moments associated with finding a place to live—and the topical references were an added bonus.

The Agent is a light-hearted mixture of physics, philosophy, property, and poo. The spotlight is on Michelle Schrödinger (Cooper), who is desperately seeking the coveted ‘Real Estate Agent of the Year’ trophy. Focused on gaining the coveted ‘golden title’ for the 3rd year running, Schrödinger sees herself as a ‘secret special real estate agent on a mission.’ The competition is going down to the wire, as a final significant house sale will make all the difference between coming first or last in what Schrödinger thinks is basically a two-horse race against her arch nemesis, Jane Brown (Phoebe Maher).

Jane Brown is clearly a talented, albeit cynical, real estate agent and auctioneer, as ably demonstrated in Maher’s opening Act performance, which is an impressive piece of scene-setting. The first Act is an entertaining way to open The Agent, and thanks to excellent direction by Mel Poole, this ensures that even audience members toward the back of the room get to see some of the action up close, when placing Maher’s marvellous opening ‘auction’ action in the area adjacent to the Warehouse 25 toilets.

Amping up the spy-thriller notion, 007 Goldfinger references are lightly sprinkled throughout the show—including in the musical interludes between each Act, in Cooper’s excellent vocals when trying to record a radio advert for Schrödinger Realty, and in those sparkly outfits for the black-tie awards event.

Of course, every spy thriller relies on the back-of-house specialists, and supporting cast of thousands. The Schrödinger Realty office is staffed by a long-suffering manager and an ‘eye candy’ receptionist. Jamie Delmonte (Brad, and Choreographer) throws himself wholeheartedly into the role of camp receptionist and general runaround—with fabulous flounces, great ‘physie’ dance moves, and excellent comic ‘poo’ timing. And don’t worry if you are not familiar with the Schrödinger’s cat thought experiment, as office assistant/manager Joan McGroan—ably played by Sarah McNally—is the voice of resigned reason and knowledge. Some of the funniest moments in the play were McNally’s interactions with Delmonte and with Cooper—from sharing dry observations and information about everything from the use of AI to convert reality into ‘real estate speak’ and talking about the costs of ‘marketing materials, through to explaining that no, Michelle doesn’t have a cat but that ‘Schrödinger’s cat’ is a concept.

The cast also includes Sam Herbertson (Jock Lovegrove), the versatile Damien Smith (Sound Recordist, MC Dick Smarm, and Postie), who was a fabulous and suitably self-absorbed MC, and Vivien Rose (Joanna Bambini). Herbertson delivers crowd-pleasing performance in his various interactions with the real estate agent team—where the radio station moments with Cooper resulted in warm applause (and a few whoops) from the Saturday afternoon audience. Inviting Rose to join the cast as the ‘just a kid’ newcomer who is shaking up the local real estate world is an inspired piece of writing and casting. I only wish I had that chutzpa and confidence so early in my career.

The Agent had a successful world premiere at the 2026 Anywhere Festival, and is a fun demonstration of the talents of a local writer, director and cast. I can see that this show would work in similar small pubs, bars and clubs—and perhaps even at a Real Estate Awards event, particularly as I am sure that everyone in that room would want to join in with the closing ‘I’m Selling It Now’ number.

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture**: That coveted trophy in *The Agent*. *Image Credit: Creative Futures Photography*

Audience information: 2026 Anywhere Festival Brisbane The Agent was at Warehouse 25, 25 Finchley Street, Milton (20-30 May 2026). Tickets $40. Rated M with warnings of sexual situations and mature content. Parking limited to street parking in the surrounding area. 50 minutes.

The reviewer attended the final, 30 May 2026 performance (4pm).

Additional credits: Bas Skubala (Assistant Director), Sam Herbertson (Combat Coach), Megan Hind (Character & Movement Consultant), Isabel Follan (Stage & Props Manager), Daniel Endicott (Odyssey Entertainment Technical & Realisation), and Ross Evans (Smax Entertainment Musical Director).

Geoff Lawrence