Not Now, Not Ever: A Parliament of Women – REVIEW

Not Now Not Ever is a hilarious spoof in which Margaret Thanos has brought the Greek Gods – specifically Zeus himself, his wayward daughter Athena and go-between Hermes – down to earth to compete in the Australian elections.

If Athena wins, she wrests control of the Olympic Council from her father, Zeus, and she is putting her money on Prax (Emma O’Sullivan) to win the election while Zeus is rootin’ for “Husband”, Prax’s spouse (Matt Abotomey). Hermes (Clay Crighton) elects themself as the gods’ intermediary.

In the original Aristophanes play, called Assemblywomen (391BC), a young woman called Praxagora urges women to dress up as men and take control of government.

In Thanos’ reimagining of the ancient Greek dramatist, Prax dresses up as a man to improve her chances of being elected as prime minister.

This sets in train a hilarious sequence of events that tumble one after another until you are left breathless with laughter at the end of this uproariously funny show.

Prax’s best friend is the goat Gora, played by Lib Campbell with side-splitting humour.

Heavily bearded Richard Helliar as Athena looked as if he had just walked off the stage of a drag show, while Zeus (Rachael Colquhoun-Fairweather) suitably wore a power suit.

The set and props by Jess Zlotnick are entirely fashioned from heavy duty cardboard – even Zeus’ lightning bolt! Costume designer Aloma Barnes adds her genius to the comedy in the clothes she dresses Thanos’ characters in.

All nine cast members pitched in to write the script for this lively comedy, which plays out in the downstairs theatre of the Belvoir.

It is amazing that Greek gods and ancient Greek playwrights can still influence our culture today.

This talented young cast brings their energy and wit to a most original and inventive play. Go see it if you want some laughter in your life.

Until March 31

Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills

belvoir.com.au