‘Topdog/Underdog’ // Melbourne Theatre Company

‘Topdog/Underdog’ was an emotional marathon.

Suzan-Lori Parks’s hilarious, vibrant and moving Topdog/Underdog follows two brothers as they wrestle with the realities of the American Dream. 

The two characters in this show, Lincoln and Booth are hustling to make ends meet: Lincoln as a whiteface Abraham Lincoln impersonator and Booth as petty thief and wannabe card-game hustler. What unfolds reveals siblings that are haunted by their past, unsure of their future, and bonded by history, familiarity and mistrust.

Damon Manns (Lincoln) and Pas-Samuels (Booth) both delivered captivating and impressive performances. The dialogue heavy content, and the emotional turmoil they both experience as the show unfolds, was delivered with delicacy and passion. Manns portrayal of Lincoln was grounded and powerful. Creating a reliable character through his direct and deliberate approach. Samuels portrayal of Booth was energetic, erratic and showed the insecurity of the charter.  This created an intriguing contrast between this complex pair. Both Manns and Samuels ability to jump to new and heavy themes invited the audience to be a part of this intimate world. The talented actors generated a shared stand out performance. ‘Topdog/Underdog’, provides a meaningful exploration of how individuals cope with their past and the forces that shape their destinies. Manns and Samuels performance was nothing short of exceptional, as they delivered the genuinity of the purpose of this play.

The idea of power and status was a very evident ideology that the brothers wished to seize. Besides this being clear in the dialogue and acting, the considered layout of the theatre and set highlighted this theme. To explain, the audience was seated around the stage, looking into the deeply nuanced lives that this narrative is surrounded by. The set included a subtle level to highlight a status difference between Lincoln and Booth. Sophie Woodward’s set design was simplistic yet so detailed creating a captivating experience. The one room set was of the basement home that Luncoln and Booth lived in, where they experienced a range of challenging confrontations and enlightening interactions. Woodward’s set portrayed a world that established the life these characters have lived, and illustrated assumptions on what may occur next. Dan West’s sound design contributed significantly to the production, through the use of a considerate playlist. This dramatic sound design was used to set the tone and compliment distinct moments within the play. West’s sound design was also used to navigate between scene changes, in a memorable way, as it helped maintain the immersive atmosphere that the audience was looking into. 

Bert Labonte’s direction and craft were remarkably evident in this production. Labonte initiated a world that deepened the intricate relationship between the two brothers. By fostering moments of genuine honesty and intimacy, as well as scenes of intense confrontation and physical tension. Labonte skillfully highlighted the theme of contrasting individuals dealing with shared childhood trauma. His direction not only highlighted the emotional depth of the play but also enhanced its overall impact, largely due to the transparent performances he drew from the actors.

Melbourne Theatre Company’s production, ‘Topdog/Underdog’, tied together a range of production roles and skills to put on a remarkable show, delving into often confronting and intense themes. 

This production of ‘Topdog/Underdog’ leaves very little to not love. It feels like a challenge to try to justify the impressive nature of this show, making it difficult to not appreciate this piece of theatre. 

‘Topdog/Underdog’ performs until Saturday, 21 September 2024 at Southbank Theatre, The Lawler. For more information visit their website.