REVIEW
Two people who have absolutely no connection apart from online dating profiles take the stage and explain how much they hate themselves.
The woman is lonely and nervous, and the man is wishes we didn’t know how much he cared about what people thought. They both want us to understand that they can change.
Eight Gigabytes is full of emotion, honesty and humour. The understanding of how isolating, lonely and harsh life can be, is portrayed perfectly through monologues and understated movement.
Gibbs plays a 40 something single mum who is trying to run away from her financial mess and Steve Rodgers is a married, overweight man who is more alone than he could ever imagine. Oh, and he spends his evenings waiting for his wife to go to bed so that he can look at porn.
The play is split into small chapters allowing you to get to know both Gibbs and Rodgers equally well and keeping the 70 minute performance moving quickly. Every part of the performance is relatable. How they feel about themselves, their online exchange, the first date, and how they continue to live their lives.
Feeling so lost after his date with Gibbs, Rodgers checks into a hotel to be by himself, to sleep and to download 8gb of hardcore porn. The ramifications of that night are catastrophic and leads to a level of vulnerability that neither expected to feel.
The script is brilliantly written, making the audience laugh but overwhelming them with sadness and loneliness. Gibbs continues to be hilarious but also nails the seriousness of the performance and content, making herself human and relatable. Rodgers’ exploration of the male counterpart is wonderful. His honesty about who he is, who he pretends to be, and his sexual desires make his character so understandable.
READ MORE: Read OUTinPerth’s interview with playwright Declan Greene.
After a stellar opening season in Sydney, Eight Gigabytes will stun Perth. It’s harsh, loving, honest and brutal, and is a perfect addition to the Perth Theatre Company’s portfolio. This is a piece of work that really deserves to be seen.
Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography is showing at Studio Underground now until July 12th.
Alice Newport
