Theatre Review: Did I Believe It?

Dan Musgrove, Toni Potter, Adam Gardiner and Brett O'Gorman from 'Did I Belive It?' Photo / Supplied

Silo's belated season-opener takes a quintet of theatre luminaries, drops them into a swanky downtown bar, throws in a fruitful collaboration with an iconic Kiwi vodka company and has Oliver Driver expertly shaking the ingredients together to serve up a heady theatrical cocktail with plenty of kick.

The show takes us into the whacky world of 70s informational TV programmes with an odd-ball crew delving into the surprising facts about - you guessed it - vodka.

The TV presenters are hilariously decked out in 70s regalia and Elizabeth Whiting's costume design artfully captures the bizarre excesses of the decade that taste forgot.

The polyester and platform shoes neatly match the gauche commercialism and outrageously un-PC social attitudes of the period. But while the setting garners plenty of laughs it also creates a nostalgic glow that takes the edge off the play's contemporary satire.

With no one putting their hand up for a writing credit, the show is very loosely structured and has the hit-and-miss quality of improvised comedy.

The best moments come with an extended demonstration of the perils of bottling up feelings and some wickedly funny barbs about how vodka appeals to different nationalities.

The wildly energetic performances generally carry us through the flat periods but, as Charlie Sheen is discovering, even the most accomplished actor can be exposed without the support of well-crafted script.

The talented cast all deliver quality performances and Dean O'Gorman is particularly engaging as a deeply conflicted stud who is struggling with a repressed sexual identity crisis.

Toni Potter effortlessly carries off the breezy insouciance of a blonde glamour girl with an over-active libido.

Adam Gardiner captures the oleaginous charm of the show's polyester-clad host, and Brett O'Gorman brings a finely timed deadpan humour to his portrayal of a scientist who is blissfully unaware of his over-bearing arrogance.

The show is obviously well suited to the bar-room venue and while there is little that is challenging, it offers an entertaining introduction to vodka that could easily segue into a more practical investigation of the topic.

Did I Believe It? is playing at 1885 Britomart until April 30.