Greece Lightning by an epic Starr
The Sydney Fringe Festival returns this year and more than 450 events will be presented in 70 venues across Sydney. With so many productions to attend, readers of this publication may feel confused as to what they should watch. If it’s comedy you want, Greece Lightning is one completely nutty show which is definitely not to be missed!!
Damien Warren Smith is an Australian actor who has trained with legendary clown teacher Philippe Caulier. He has found much success in his one man productions, notably with his alter ego Garry Starr who is refreshingly idiotic in this show!
“Garry Starr is a slightly higher status but lower intelligence version of me. At least I’d like to think so. When I first created Garry I had no idea he would become my fulltime job, taking me all over the world and delighting audiences. He’s just a big toddler,” laughed Smith.
This is a multi-award winning comedy currently playing in London to packed houses which has audiences leaving the theatre in tears owing to uncontrollable laughter.
“Greece Lightning is the story of an overzealous idiot who discovers that his Hellenic homeland isn’t having such a great time economically, so he embarks on a mission to boost tourism to Greece by performing all of Greek Mythology in the space of an hour,” Smith explained. “It’s his misguided belief that this will somehow ignite people’s passion for his homeland.”
This show was conceived during the pandemic when Smith listened to the audiobook of Stephen Fry’s Mythos. “My imagination just came alive. I started writing ideas on flash cards and plastered them all over my bedroom. It was at this point I knew I was either going insane or onto something special!”
By the time Smith arrives in Sydney he will have performed in a 50-show tour spanning 10 weeks, 4 cities in both the Southern and Northern hemispheres. When asked whether it’s intense re-enacting the entire Greek Mythology in a one man, one hour show Smith was quick to respond.
”Yes. Simply put and very tiring, but I wouldn’t swap it for anything. The show relies heavily on audience participation, so it never feels stale or gets boring. Playing with the audience is really what I love to do. Removing audience participation for me would be like removing jokes for a comedian – I absolutely love it!”
Readers who may be pondering whether it’s a prerequisite to be Greek or have a knowledge of Greek Mythology for total enjoyment of this show Smith stresses the answer is a big NO.
“When I first started writing the show, I knew very little about Greek mythology and I’ve been careful not to overload it with in-the-know humour. There are a few easter eggs hidden in there for those lovers of the classics but generally it’s enjoyable for everyone.”
When asked why he thinks Greece Lightning has been so well received by critics and audiences alike Smith paused momentarily.
“Because they have nothing to compare it to. It’s also very difficult to describe. What tends to happen is people take a punt on it, laugh their faces off, then return with family and friends. Critics like it because they’re all such wonderful people with excellent taste and I pay them to write good reviews – did I mention critics are lovely?”
But why should audiences come along and spend their hard earned cash to watch Garry Starr perform at his childish and idiotic best?
“Because never before has Medusa been looser, Achilles more sillies, or Uranus so heinous. If you’re looking for something to make you laugh until your face hurts, then Greece Lightning is the one show not to myth!” laughed Smith.
