The Narcissist

(The Sydney Theatre Company & La Boite Theatre Company; Sydney Opera House; until 11 October)

The Narcissist is fun. Big, belly-laughing, irreverent-type fun. It is not for the easily offended, but for the rest of us it is sharp, witty, and — yes — fun!

There is nothing subtle about the theme of the play. It is reflected in the title, the story line, the songs (such as the Divinyls’ I Touch Myself), and the set. It screams at the audience from the wonderfully sculpted “ME” coffee table, to the classical fluoro torsos on the bar, and the Andy-Warhol-inspired artwork. Hats off to those responsible — designer Greg Clarke, set constructor Campbell Misfeld, and lighting designer Carolyn Emerson.

The ‘main man’, Xavier (Sandro Colarelli) and his perfect foil Bronwyn (Andrea Moor) set the standard with their snappy delivery of the salty, pithy and very intelligent dialogue by writer Stephen Carleton (he can come to my place for dinner anytime).

Nothing is sacred and in their self-obsessed way they make a bet that lays the foundation for the modern-day farce that follows.

There’s a case of Veuve and a holiday at Port Douglas at stake, but it’s mainly pride on the line as the pair strive to net a “husband” before the bell tolls New Year.

Xavier sets his sights on Jesse, an old flame, while Bronwyn shoots for Satchel, Xavier’s younger flatmate.

Jesse (James Stewart) provides a worthy counterpoint to Xavier’s egoism, playing the ‘straight man’ in more ways than one.

Most enjoyable are the two ‘Facebookers’, Satchel (Jonathan Brand) and Y’Landah-with-an-apostrophe-and-an-H (Judy Hainsworth). Satchel is particularly good with his buffoonish portrayal of a metro sexual, Gen Y guy — winner of the “Most Eligible Barista” title for the third time running. His little touches, such as spiking up the forelocks before answering the phone, are delightful.

It is all quite mad and over the top, but absolutely entertaining. Go and enjoy!

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