Review of X Collective's captivating double bill: 'Tonight with Donny Stixx' and 'Dark Vanilla Jungle'

I’m not crying, you are!

Picture this.

We are sitting quietly in awe of the space that is the historic, inner-city Holy Trinity Church Hall, with its high ceilings built back in 1891. It’s dark. The temperature pleasant. We wait, holding our breath as the dim stage lights start to reveal an energetic young man with a beaming grin, who we later find out is capable of a most horrific crime. We read the warnings on the way in, but could we ever truthfully be ready for the disturbing stories that were about to be so intimately shared?

You betcha! We were so excited. This production is indie theatre gold.

It is opening night of The X Collective’s first production for 2024. A back-to-back performance of two compelling one-act monologues by English playwright Philip Ridley: Tonight with Donny Stixx and Dark Vanilla Jungle. If you don’t remember the name, Ridley also wrote Vincent River, Mercury Fur, Piranha Heights and The Poltergeist, to name just a few of his theatre credits.

Directed by Brisbane’s creative mastermind Wayne McPhee, each performance leaves us with pits in our stomachs, but there is a lot of laughter along the way to break up the heaviness. The balanced delivery of light and dark moments alone is, at least in my view, a hallmark of truly professional work, and that is something I commend both director and performers for in this production. With themes ranging from the pursuit of fame to the depths of the worst kinds of mental and physical trauma and despair, both plays resonated deeply with the audience, leaving a lasting impression, as evidenced by the positive chatter outside the hall after the show ended.

In Tonight with Donny Stixx, emerging artist Ronan Mason brings to life the complex character of Donny Stixx, a teenage magician grappling with the highs and lows of celebrity culture. Mason's performance skilfully balances dark comedy with poignant introspection, inviting the audience on a journey of self-discovery and the true cost of success. If you can imagine a parallel world that exists somewhere between the lightness of Harry Potter and the intense, emotional heartache the musical Next to Normal evokes, you'd have a rough starting point towards understanding the world that Stixx lives in - at least, in his mind. The show takes a sharp turn though, so buckle up - especially given today’s horrific events in Bondi.

Following Tonight with Donny Stixx, Whitney Duff takes centre stage in Dark Vanilla Jungle, delivering a tour de force performance as Andrea, a young woman haunted by the traumas of her past - and arguably - her present. Duff's portrayal is earnest, professional, raw and emotionally charged, drawing the audience into Andrea's harrowing journey of isolation and despair. With masterful storytelling and uncompromising management of the play’s language, Duff navigates the complexities of Andrea's psyche with grace and vulnerability, leaving a profound impact on all who bear witness to her story. The intimate scenes are especially well-crafted and allowed Duff to take full advantage of the lighting and positioning of the audience. This monologue is truly gut-wrenching and Duff was superb in this role. I’d say there’s a little bit of Andrea in all of us, at our worst and most vulnerable. For that in particular, we really love getting to know her character.

Under McPhee’s direction, both monologues shine with sensitively crafted staging and minimalistic scenery that allows each artist to take and maintain the focus necessary to tell hard stories. Both performances are nuanced in a way that only comes from deeply knowing and embodying your character’s most deepest of secrets, whether written into the script or not. Simple yet effective lighting design by Timothy James adds sufficient depth and atmosphere to each scene, enhancing the emotional resonance of the narratives without overshadowing the performances in any way. As always stage management by the wonderful Laraine Griffiths is faultless and worthy of mention.

To sum the night up without giving away the awesome twists and turns this production takes, Tonight with Donny Stixx and Dark Vanilla Jungle promises you an evening of live, intimate theatre that is all at once thought-provoking, emotionally stirring and entertaining. Don't miss your chance to experience these captivating and darkly humoured plays.

Show / Season Details

Runs until 26th April

Holy Trinity Church Hall, 141 Brookes St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

Tickets from $30

Available here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1147962

Reviewed by Professor Dan Jess, ACVA.