A well-told tale with free booze to boot.
Making its Sydney Fringe debut after successful performances overseas, Drink Rum with Expats tells the real-life story of Louise Mothersole and Rebecca Biscuit, two British expats in Malta who put on a show about Malta in Malta’s famous pub, The Pub. Blending multimedia, immersive theatre, and starring Mothersole and Biscuit, the show provides an unexpectedly complex look into expat culture, the bizarreness of life in Malta, and the rife corruption in the country.
Drink Rum with Expats plays into its comic and autobiographical angles immediately. Audiences are invited for pre-show drinks on the New Theatre stage, where Mothersole and Biscuit (faces painted with St. George’s Cross) are handing out cups of real beer. This is followed by a brief introduction to them, their company Sh!t Theatre, and Malta – a country that struggles with roundabouts, is popular with Brits, and has an unhealthy obsession with Oliver Reed (who died drinking at The Pub). Mothersole and Biscuit’s duologue is accompanied by a slideshow playing upstage, featuring photos of Malta, videos of the two, and various sound bites.
Following this introduction, Mothersole and Biscuit explain the show they stage, Malta’s approach to its boat migration issues, and its suppression of press freedom. The bizarre and immersive humour continues, most notably in the distribution of more free alcohol and a stage dive.
However, it is Mothersole and Biscuit’s discussion of Malta and its corruption that is more memorable. The performance’s pace and mood shift considerably when this topic is raised. Their controlled and toned-down performance at these points juxtaposes their initial energetic nature, letting their heavier thematic content resonate. Though there are moments where the flow of the performance is somewhat disconnected, and some content could be cut with minimal loss, Drink Rum with Expats tells its story well.
Of particular success here is the multimedia. The aforementioned sound bites are from Mothersole, Biscuit, their friends, and the African refugees they meet in Malta. Video clips of the island include the duo’s time in The Pub, as well as street protests. Photos are a mix of the two, dog pictures, portraits of Maltese locals and African refugees, screenshots of news sites and more. These complement Mothersole and Biscuit’s dialogue perfectly, either by way of additional gags or by giving authenticity to their claims. This smart technical element drives the impact of their message home, and sustains a strong performance without overwhelming it.
Ultimately, Drink Rum with Expats offers plenty to think about. Though it could flow more smoothly, its humour is strong and critique of Malta compelling. Add some free beer and rum and there’s no reason not to check it out.
