When you enter the Basement Theatre, you are welcomed into a friendly and exploratory environment where the conventional rules of drama are disregarded, allowing for pure expression. It’s a space where artists can truly be themselves, and the audience plays an integral role in the performance. In this vibrant atmosphere of spontaneous, energetic, and bold theatre, Tom Clarke’s Perry has found its home…. and this is a show unlike any you have ever experienced.
Perry has a FULLY COMPOSED WORLD-VIEW. he has STRONG opinions about EVERYTHING. And his ideas are presented IN PERSON using AUTHENTIC MIME that you can trust. Perry will help you.
In fifty minutes, actor Tom Clarke goes straight from A to Z, backwards, forwards, zigs, zags, then zigs again, turns around, throws out some moves, and completely goes bat-shit in his one-man show Perry. To experience Perry is to witness one of the strangest, most unhinged, yet completely sweet, sincere and deeply empathic performances as Clarke disappears and Perry walks on stage.
Slouched, grubby, despondent, loud, uncouth, ruckus, vile, hilarious, mental, and completely genuine and honest, Perry is a show that will have you utterly giggling from start to end, and Clarke goes to a whole other level with his performance. Utilising his own brilliant mime technique, and somewhat of a bold style of delivery, its as if as Perry, Clarke has taken the guise of the Three Stooges, the movement of Buster Keaton, and the poise and presence of the Tramp himself, Charlie Chaplin, and filtered it through his own creative filter, with a good sprinkling of manic pixie dust, and the result is Perry.
Clarke delivers a completely physical and captivating performance in Perry, resulting in 50 minutes of laugh-out-loud hilarity, filled with all sorts of unexpected moments. His improvisational skills are outstanding, and he fully embraces the spontaneity of each show. It’s evident that every performance of Perry will be a unique experience for the audience, allowing them to truly immerse themselves. Trust me, the outcome is absolutely hilarious.
The experience of Perry is amplified by the communal space and welcoming nature that Perry delivers to audiences, sitting together inside the theatre space, experiencing this one-of-a-kind piece of theatrical madness, you really feel like you’ve witnessed something very special.
Having a space like Basement Theatre for New Zealand’s performing artists, where they can prioritise their art and express themselves to the fullest, is an incredibly joyful experience. If you’re looking for a show that showcases the full extent of a performer’s abilities and celebrates unabashed originality, then you will find it with Perry.
Perry is now playing at Basement Theatre and will run until Saturday 11 October. Get your tickets here.
Image: Crispian Chan
