The Fastest Clock in the Universe
Theatre
January 21 - 31, 2015
Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran 3181
Melbourne, VIC
Website: http://www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
Description
Four Letter Word Theatre presents Philip Ridley's acclaimed - The Fastest Clock in the UniverseRidley's play is fascinating not just for what it is, but also for everything that it reminds you of, from Pinter to Webster and Tennessee Williams to Hitchcock. It's not derivative but layered, as if Ridley has alighted magpie-like on things that interest him, and turned all his pretty borrowings into something strange and terrifying. - Lyn Gardner, The Guardian, 2009
Cougar Glass is cruel, vain and shallow. The Fastest Clock In The Universe is a contemporary classic by UK writer Philip Ridley. The play centres on Cougar Glass, the narcissistic 30 year old who is once again celebrating his '19th birthday' in order to seduce an unwitting young schoolboy. We find Cougar half naked under a tanning lamp, surrounded by stuffed birds and feeling increasingly tense.
The Captain, Cougar’s partner and elderly neighbour Cheetah Bee do everything in their power to keep Cougar calm as he gears up for the party; they know all too well what happens when things don't go to plan. Foxtrot Darling arrives dressed to impress, with a boyish charm and a twinkle in his eye - the party has got off to a flying start. Everything is running smoothly until a surprise guest arrives. As tensions rise, the game plans shift and Cougar is forced to decide what to do next.
This is a place where human cruelty and blind faithfulness clash and Cougar Glass' desires lead everyone around him into his most destructive birthday party yet. ‘We are all as bad as each other. All hungry little cannibals at our own cannibal party. So f**k the milk of human kindness and welcome to the abattoir’!
The Fastest Clock In The Universe is directed by Award-winning director Robert Chuter with a stellar cast including: Robert Ricks as Cougar Glass, Ian Rose as Captain Tock, Will Freeman as Foxtrot Darling and Scout Boxall as Sherbet Gravel.