Buckle in for a wonderful show, following The Platypus, which opened at the Brisbane Festival in the Cremorne Theatre.
For a straight 90 minutes, the audience is treated to a brilliant performance carried entirely by two actors: John Leary (The Good Place, Glitch, The Letdown, Upper Middle Bogan) and Rebecca Bower (The Spooky Files, Offspring, Wentworth). Together, they command the stage with remarkable presence, slipping seamlessly into a range of characters to tell a powerful story about marriage, parenting, and the messy realities in between.
The play dives into the dynamics of family life with grit, humour, and emotional rawness—shifting from hilariously absurd moments to piercing truths of hurt and confusion when relationships start to unravel.
Written and directed by Francis Greenslade—an instantly recognisable face from decades on Australian screens (Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell, Winners and Losers)—The Platypus marks his debut as a playwright. It’s sharp in its acts and language, drawing resonances of Shakespeare and even touches of Oscar Wilde. The result is a clever, witty, and darkly comic work that leaves a mark.
For couples—especially those with families—there will no doubt be a takeaway. For theatre lovers, this is a rare treat: first-class acting paired with skilful direction.
Running only until 13 September, The Platypus is a short but unmissable season. I’m so glad I had the chance to see it.
