Drifting in and out of love: Ako Mitchell (Klook) and Sheila Atim (Vinette). Photo credit Arnim Friess.
Play: Klook’s Last Stand
Theatre: Park Theatre
Playwright: Ché Walker
Director: Ché Walker
Review by Natalie Gormally
Park Theatre’s intimate 90-seat studio space plays host to writer-director Ché Walker’s powerful new musical drama Klook’s Last Stand. Set in present day California, Walker’s production is an intense love story, full of hope, loss and jazz-soul tunes.
In a chance meeting, the smooth-talking but unfathomable drifter Klook (a mesmerising Ako Mitchell), seduces the feisty Vinette (Sheila Atim) over an organic carrot juice.
With a troublesome past, and a lifetime of aimlessness, he is becoming too old to coast. Vinette, younger and lissom, is laden with low self-esteem and is on the run from nothing but herself. As the two move from being strangers to lovers, their snappy but tough repartee evolves into rhythmic words and songs that capture perfectly their infatuation.
Their connection is not only physical but intellectual. They discuss everything from Cuba, to literature to basketball: “sex of the mind,” says Klook while their dialogue flows effortlessly between arguments and flirtations and declarations to songs.
As their love blooms, they open up to each other and expose their vulnerability. And as their pasts are divulged, as if reading from a co-authored novel, neither one judges the shadows they have been running from.
Klook’s Last Stand is a casual take on the classic American noir genre, with its low-key visual style (aided by Arnim Friess’ moody lighting design), flashbacks of past lives (via voiceover narration), and a fatalistic mood leavened with the characters’ provocative banter.
It’s a credit to both the magnetic Mitchell and the convincing Atim that the audience is held captive for the entire 90 minutes (there is no interval). Their intensity bridges the gulf between the audience and stage.
With a set consisting of nothing more than two bar stools, this is a genuine two-hander. The chemistry between the two actors is nothing short of electric, as they give a note perfect delivery of this challenging script.
Three quarters of the way through the play steps up a gear as the two are confronted by life’s harsh realities and their past catches up to their future. “How would my life be anything else but this,” Klook contemplates in his last stand.
Walker skillfully mixes West Coast American slang, clever metaphors and middle rhymes to deliver funny, touching and mesmeric dialogue. Anoushka Lucas and legendary neo-soul artist Omar Lyefook provide an intoxicating mix of melodies, united by beautifully crafted lyrics. The music creates an atmosphere reminiscent of an old jazz-blues club, although the music becomes a little sickly–sweet as the play progresses.
The versatile musician Rio Kai is on stage the entire time, playing double-bass, piano and guitar to accompany the soulful songs. His subtle yet funny interactions with the two actors are a nice touch.
This is yet another strong production for Park Theatre which, at barely a year old, is becoming a real contender on the fringe theatre scene.
Tough, tender, funny, poignant – it is little wonder the audience gifted the actors and director with a standing ovation.
If you want to be taken on an emotional journey with largely quality music, then this play is worth seeing.
Klook’s Last Stand is at Park Theatre until 6 July.