The Last Cargo Cult Lands at Berkeley Rep
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Mike Daisey Photo courtesy of KevinBerne.com Mike Daisey returns with another scathingly hilarious monologue |
Mike Daisey is an accomplished storyteller. His spirited monologues humorously relate his adventures through exotic places. In The Last Cargo Cult, now at Berkeley Rep, he sits at a table and tells about his trip to the island Tanna in the South Pacific. His keen societal observations are generously laced with cynical, harsh wit and coarse language.
Downstage of a cyclorama of stacked cardboard cartons, he tells his story with enthusiasm. His monologue seems to be wandering at times with jumpy transitions, but he has a point to make, and it all ties together.
The narrative
With broad, energetic gestures he describes his scary flight into Tanna. He calls the primitive South Seas jungle outpost, “the island that is just beyond the reach of money.” Through all his meanderings about climbing to the crater rim of the active volcano Mount Yasur and sleeping with a baby pig, he always brings the subject back to money. He is not vituperative in his disdain for consumerism, but uses it to highlight the money-less economy of Tanna.
His vivid and evocative imagery detail his encounters with people so primitive they burn money and use their solar powered cell phones only as flashlights. He does not appear judgmental of the natives but describes them with sympathy. The object of his scorn is “financial terrorism.” To him, all money is a pyramid scheme.
The style of Daisey
Daisey is indefatigable in his non-stop monologue, and unhesitant to use shock or profanity to emphasize his point. He presents an appealing presence on stage, and his demeanor is self-effacing enough that we forget about him and concentrate on what he is saying. When he does use his hands for emphasis and added explications, they move like a ballet. His face is very motile and can move in perfect synchrony with the ideas he is presenting. His perceptions are unique and give insight to many aspects of the world we might not ever be acquainted with.
Mike Daisey's two-hour monologues perform in repertory on differing days and times. The last performance will be on February 27 at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison Street, Berkeley. Tickets ($39 to $59) are available on line at www.berkeleyrep.org or by phone at 888. 427.8749.
Mike Daisey's two-hour monologues perform in repertory on differing days and times. The last performance will be on February 27 at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison Street, Berkeley. Tickets ($39 to $59) are available on line at www.berkeleyrep.org or by phone at 888. 427.8749.
For a more complete review, please visit www.DoctorTheater.com.