OBSERVER: Disunited States


Comedian and actor Richard Mealey debuts a brand new original work at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, critiquing his American homeland for Aussie audiences.
In Richard’s words: “When your homeland falls under authoritarian rule, you only have two options: fight the tyranny or … ya know, pretend like you’ve never even been there.’
Born to British immigrants and residing in Australia for the last 12 years, Richard Mealey (Elephant Rope, A Twist of Fate) isn’t a “real American”.
Sure, he loves baseball, fried cheese, and hitting those hard “R”s in door, drawer, and poor. But the America that exists today isn’t the same one he left
Directed by Barney Pollock, Disunited States explores Richard’s disillusionment with being American, and the growing unease of no longer having a “real home”.
Filled with characters from different slices of Americana, he exposes truths both obvious and hidden.
Performances will take place from April 6-19 in The Cellar at The Motley Bauhaus, 7.15pm.
Bookings: comedyfestival.
com.au
Review by Cheryl Threadgold