Daniel Kitson looks serious enough. Bespectacled and dressed incredibly neatly with everything coordinating just so– navy suit, navy tie, pale blue shirt, tan shoes.  He could be an art critic or at the very least, a sharply dressed librarian but as soon as he opens his mouth, it’s clear that he is neither.  A multi-awarding winning comedian, Kitson is distinctly humorous, his jokes and quips are intelligent without being arrogant, insightful and not the least bit insulting.  Consequently, he is nothing short of charming.  My theatre buddy was in silent agreement and had joined the Daniel Kitson fans Facebook group by the very next morning.

The Ballad of Roger and Grace is a fantastical love story told within the confines of a packed out train with the elderly character of Roger keen to entertain and impress the young Charlie, who is more interested in his magazine and ordering a morning snack.  Kitson is responsible for the majority of the story-telling and is used to holding his own onstage.  He toured Australia in 2007 with his one-man play C90, performing the dual roles of Henry, who sorts and catalogues compilation mix tapes and the lollypop lady who prides herself in remembering the first names and birthdays of everyone she meets. 

Kitson is a master of internal dialogue and the characters he creates and inhabits are quirky yet endearing.  His flamboyant descriptions, incredible scenarios and attention to detail have the effect of making you feel that every observation you have ever made are  inadequate and grossly superficial in comparison.  But feelings of personal inadequacy are quickly replaced by an appreciation for Kitson’s gift for storytelling and one can only imagine the elaborate homework excuses Kitson would have told in his school days.

Kitson is clearly the star of this show but Gavin Osborn’s simple acoustic songs of adolescent angst are welcome breathers from Kitson’s fast-paced and adjective laden dialogue.  Osborn’s songs are performed from the perspective of Charlie and are triggered by instances in Roger’s personal epic.  The cross-over of experience between the characters, as small as they may be, are characteristic of Kitson's previous work and give the play a heart-warming depth.  The songs are conversational and at times, awkwardly confessional and emotional, a style perfected by New Zealand comedy duo (and recent Grammy award winners) The Flight of the Conchords. 

The Ballad of Roger and Grace is an intimately staged and well performed play (‘I wanted it to be like a secret show,’ Kitson confesses after the show, before adding ‘a secret sold-out show. Like one of those secret shows big bands do that are widely publicised') that will send you off to bed in the best of spirits. 

The Ballad of Roger and Grace will tour Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne at the end of its Sydney run, in conjunction with Kitson’s stand-up show, The Impotent Fury of the Privileged.

Title: The Ballad of Roger and Grace
Dates:

Sydney – Feb 23-27, Belvoir St Theatre, 02 9699 3444, belvoir.com.au

Brisbane – March 2-9, Brisbane Powerhouse, 07 3358 8600, brisbanepowerhouse.org

Adelaide – March 11-15, Adelaide Fringe, 1300 374 643, adelaidefringe.com.au

Melbourne – 20-30 March, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, 1300 660 013, comedyfestival.com.au

Photo used with permission.