Donning self-made name tags after being acquainted with fellow audience members, a buzzing group of thespians filed into Brisbane Powerhouse for 'First Things First' by Joseph Simons.
The one-man show was a part of MELT Festival, and explored the art of 'getting used to it'. The first 15 minutes consisted of Joseph mingling with audience members in the theatre's foyer, getting to know their names for reasons unknown to the crowd – until later.
Eventually, the show began. The stage was white, covered in perfectly laid out items of black clothing. Joseph slinkily made his way around them, picking them up and putting them into a pile one by one. Though the precise message behind this wasn't ever clarified, it could be argued it symbolised repetition; doing something for the first time and consequently having to do it over and over again.
The reason behind the name tags was soon revealed, but it would be wrong to give too much away. What can be commended though, is the fact Joseph thought about his audience and a way to integrate them into the performance. It was refreshing to feel part of 'First Things First' just by attending the show.
The energy in the room seemed to be at its peak when Joseph told the harrowing yet hilarious true story about going up and down a hotel elevator over and over again just to see a friend for coffee – but again, no spoilers. Without revealing a whole lot, it involved a very incompetent hotel receptionist and some scary construction workers on the top floor.
Themes surrounding the nervousness and apprehension of doing something for the first time were artfully explored throughout the entire performance. The monotonous and tedious nature of what comes next – doing it over and over again – was also communicated in both Joseph's hilariously exaggerated facial expressions, and the way in which he was able to use the area of the stage physically.
'First Things First' was a well put together performance inclusive of every audience member, taking them on a journey of uncertainty, repetition and discovery. Joseph is a true artist, immersing himself into the art of expression and telling a story that had everyone hooked from start to finish.
★★★★ 1/2
