Roundhouse Productions offers this revival of their parody “Predator The Musical” based on the 1987 action movie. I’ve enjoyed some of Roundhouse’s earlier pop culture inspired work, such as their recent all female “Resevoir Dogs”. I think that show worked because it played the material straight. They prove less adept at actual parody, at least in the case of this bloated and tedious production.
The original film is thin but goofy fun. Major Dutch (Played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the film and by Cody Evans in this show) leads a team of commandos in the jungle only to find themselves being systematically murdered by an alien creature. This show starts off with an inspired idea, an elderly Dutch (Sam Button-Harrison) tells the story of his encounter with the Predator to his young grandson. (Nicky Hilsen)
Unfortunately for every good joke there are five or six boring ones, which proves to be an unsustainable ratio. If you need to be reminded of how hilarious Schwarzenegger’s accent is (and we’ve had nearly forty years of pop culture to process this) there are many other sources.
Will Bulka’s songs are as lifeless as Bulka’s, William Stobb’s and David Krump’s book.
I must admit many people in the audience seemed to be having a raucous good time. I think this must be attributed at least partially to the effects of alcohol and to hearing famous lines from the film. But a good parody must do more than simply reference its source material. It must find funny things about the material and illuminate them. This show fails to do that.
I therefore recommend people watch the movie instead. It’s much funnier.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
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