BANGING DENMARK

Banging Denmark, which is penned by Australian playwright Van Badham, has its world premiere at the Opera House and should prove to be a fun-filled comedy for mature audiences.

The story centres on a young man called Jake, usually a successful pickup artist, who has problems gaining attention from a Danish librarian. He asks Ish, a feminist academic, for lessons in flirtation and so unfolds a hilariously explicit comedy which also delves into the dark world of online trolling.

“It’s a wild ride this play, it really is!” laughed Amber McMahon who plays the role of Ish. “The play believes in a world where redemption and transformation are possible. For all the horror of this often quite violent and aggressive trolling world that’s represented, it’s balanced by great humour and lightness. It becomes a battle of the ethics between Jake and Ish and over the course of the play there’s a reprogramming of Jakes’s horrifying views on women and the world.”

Described as an explicit comedy, McMahon explained that regardless it’s very funny. “Van’s use of language is hilarious and things that are explicit are also wildly inventive, so it’s not standard insults.”

McMahon enthused about her character. “I’ve never played a character like Ish! She’s so brash and some of the stuff that comes out of her mouth, I think ‘Oh Dear God!’ She’s so smart and witty and there’s this strength and rigour to her, but she certainly doesn’t behave like a classic heroine from literature!”

Banging Denmark may interest people who spend a lot of time on the internet as it reveals the legalities of online defamation and how deep and damaging some of this online ‘vibrant‘ discussion can become.

And finally, will audiences pick up a few pointers on the art of flirtation? “Yes absolutely! There’s all this gameplay and it’s been hilarious in rehearsals because we’ve been testing it out on each other! Our expertise is quite honed at the moment so look out!!” (MMo)

Jul 26–Aug 24. Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $25-$45+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com