Writer: Isabel Klein
Director: Isabel Klein
Isabel Klein is a star. At least in her own mind. And that of her mum, her sister, her uncle and various other friends and relatives quoted on the flyer for her show.
The reality is a little different, but as a tongue in cheek parody of a would-be Hollywood starlet, reality is a relative concept and she’s not going to let her lack of stardom interfere with her perception of how famous she is.
The real Isabel Klein’s Fringe debut sees the fictional version of her take the audience into her world as she plays both parts in a reading of the script of a film on workplace harassment that she has made for McDonalds, but can’t show people as it was for internal use only, before announcing the arrival of a famous friend who is going to come on stage and read a script she has written. Needless to say, he doesn’t turn up, doesn’t answer her call, and a person from the audience is called upon to stand in for him.
The script for this, and the McDonald’s film are both very funny themselves and are aided by her delivery and that of Adam, the audience member who gets into the role before cracking up at the end and being slightly admonished by Isabel for not focusing.
Klein never slips out of character as she captures the delusion of fame that Isabel’s life is built on. This works to turn the confessional closing a beautifully framed statement of denial, failed ambitions, and the agony of crushed hopes in a celebrity obsessed world.
It’s a strong debut that showcases Klein’s talents as a writer, director and performer, suggesting that the future will be far brighter for her than for her fictional self.
Runs until August 28 2023 (not 21st) | Image: Contributed
The Reviews Hub Score
Hollywood calling
