You know that feeling when you come out of a concert, play or movie and you are so excited by what you just saw that you are still talking about it many hours later? Part play, part stand-up gig, but also a tone poem, an analysis of the relationship between artist and fan, and a love letter to Melbourne; Goodbye Ruby Tuesday is a smart, multi-layered show that continues Justin Hamilton’s tradition of taking comedy to places you never thought it would be capable of going.
Hamilton had already set the bar high with 2007’s Three Colours Hammo and last year’s The Killing Joke, and I’m happy to report that he both meets and at times exceeds that bar with this excellent new offering. Indeed, Ruby Tuesday takes threads from both of those shows, such as the affection for Melbourne and the portrayal of a special friendship from Hammo; and the themes of artist duality and letting go of part of ourselves that were so prominent in Joke, are both woven into the fabric of this show in new and interesting ways. Hamilton reprises his Jason Harrington alter ego, last seen barely escaping oblivion at the climax of The Killing Joke. If you’ve seen that show then this adds an extra layer of continuity onto Ruby Tuesday, but if you haven’t, don’t worry – this new production stands alone very well as a single entity. All you need to know about Harrington is that he is a slightly hacky, slightly sleazy comedian, interested only in getting the laughs out of the audience at any cost. This is a clever sleight-of-hand on Hamilton’s part, allowing him to get away with jokes that, if played straight, would seem pedestrian, but by tipping the audience’s perspective very slightly askew he is able to give stand-up that is both funny in and of itself, but is also a parody of so-called ‘easy’ stand-up. At times you don’t know if you are laughing at the joke or the critical breakdown of the genre, but it never matters. There are a lot of layers here, some so subtle it’s difficult to even define them even as you feel yourself responding to them. The show itself is a self-reflexive meta-text that loops in on itself and comments on its own existence, even as it surpasses it.
The new ingredient in all of this is of course Hannah Norris who plays the titular character, and she is wonderful. Even though it’s a Justin Hamilton show it is really Ruby’s story, which was a pleasantly surprising shift of focus, but the success of the show hangs purely on Norris’ shoulders. She has to deal with quite a few large blocks of solid dialogue throughout the show, and it’s a tribute to both the script and her performance that Norris manages to evoke entire scenes around herself solely through the medium of her voice. It’s at these times that Melbourne residents will connect most strongly to the show, as it’s likely to echo thoughts you yourself have had about the city, but have never been able to express so poetically. The onstage rapport with Hamilton is great, you really feel the friendship between these two characters is genuine, and that’s what makes the show both intimately personal but also universal at the same time – everyone remembers those moments of perfect friendship that are captured at the best parts of the show.
There’s not much more I can say without spoiling it, so I will just say go and see this show. More than that, may I grab you by the shoulders, stare you directly in the eyes and say: Do not miss this show. It’s funny, thoughtful and emotional. I’m sure it doesn’t need to be said by this point, but this show comes with the highest possible recommendation. Just go and see it.
For more info and booking details go to Justin Hamilton – Goodbye Ruby Tuesday With Hannah Norris