Theatre Preview: Faux Real, Herald Theatre

Gareth Williams. Photo / Supplied

He might be one of the country's most promising young actors but Gareth Williams isn't too proud, too image-conscious or too far removed from his roots to admit he's a huge fan of Australian pop rocker John Farnham.

Williams, 26, owns John Farnham's albums, watches his music videos and concerts, and wishes he'd been old enough to see "Whispering Jack" live in concert in his mid-1980s heyday.

But he was still in nappies when Farnham, who'd been on the music scene since the 1960s, was bigger than Texas - or at least his flowing blonde hair was - and rocketing up the Australian singles charts with You're the Voice in 1986.

The single was No1 on the charts for a staggering 18 weeks; the album remains the biggest-selling in Australian history and Farnham is still the only Australian performer to have a No1 record in five consecutive decades.

But Williams doesn't necessarily think idols should be sacred, which is why his solo-stage show Faux Real pays homage to Farnham while also poking fun at him.

"John Farnham works on two levels. He is an amazing singer; his voice is awesome and you have to respect him for what he has achieved with this gift. But he's also quite hilarious because he is so earnest, so serious and that makes him quite cheesy and ripe for sending up - in the nicest possible way.

"That's why I call the show a 'John Farnham spectacular' and not a tribute show. It's got his songs in it ... but it's not me trying to be John Farnham."

Written with Dan Musgrove, Faux Real had its first outing last year at the Basement Theatre in Auckland.

Williams played Dave, an ordinary man captive in his imaginary world who has a desk lamp as his best friend.

Critics admired the show's technical wizardry - it uses puppetry, video and moving images - and described it as consistently entertaining, heaping praise on Williams' performance. They also suggested the story needed more focus.

He and Musgrove got the chance to hone the writing when they were asked to reprise Faux Real as part of the theatre-development programme Stamp.

He's delighted that Faux Real is getting a second life, saying the technical and special effects made it too costly for him and his production team to stage again on their own.

So Williams and Musgrove have spent the last few months revising the story to make it as epic as any power ballad. Dave, a talkback radio host and failed childhood singing prodigy, remains the central character.

He's an insomniac who's never been able to dream, so when he takes desperate measures to induce sleep his idol Farnham comes to him with a special plea.

Dave must go to Ayers Rock because Australian pop rock is dying and it needs saving from a cave called Nick. Dave accepts the challenge and, guided by Farnham, begins his quest.

"The fear is that 80s pop rock is being taken over by alternative music. Even Kylie Minogue, who was sent to talk with Nick Cave, who lives at Ayers Rock, never returns," says Williams. "Of course, it's a metaphor for a journey of self discovery and about dealing with things that happen in life but can hold us back."

Williams is also pleased the show is part of this year's New Zealand International Comedy Festival, included because it may pull an audience beyond traditional theatre-goers. Williams, a Billy T Award nominee for his work with The Lonesome Buckwhips, reckons Farnham wouldn't mind too much at all.

"I think he's got a sense of humour. He even tried a stand-up routine during one of his concerts, so I think he appreciates a good laugh."

Performance

What: Faux Real

Where and when: Herald Theatre, May 2-7