Review – The Young Tycoons
Image: Andrew Cutcliffe and Gabrielle Scawthorn in The Young Tycoons. Photo: Noni Carroll.
If Nine Network’s Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch War didn’t satiate your desire to see the country’s media moguls stripped, tarred and feathered, then Young Tycoons is for you.
Darlinghurst Theatre’s current production marks the second revival of CJ Johnson’s unapologetic and funny satire on corruption, excess and the petty family feuds which play out in the public eye.
With a razor sharp wit, Johnson paints a scathing portrait of generation X’s heirs to the media monopoly, while making a wider comment on the toxic masculinity and macho rivalry that pervades Australian culture. Much of the absurdity and humour in the play comes from the sheer plausibility of the outrageous scandals it imagines. In the wake of the recent Bondi street brawl between James Packer and TV executive David Gyngell, this is a show that feels more relevant than ever. Be prepared to laugh hard yet leave with the sobering knowledge that these are the characters pulling the strings in our commercial media. (CK)
Until Jun 15, Eternity Playhouse, Darlinghurst Theatre, 39 Burton St, Darlinghurst, $30-43, darlinghursttheatre.com
BY CATHERINE KNIGHT
