Following glowing reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Mediocre White Male is coming to Didcot’s Cornerstone on Thursday May 5 with a newly updated production.
The tragicomedy follows the 30-year-old central character MWM, performed by Will Close, still living in the same town and working in a crumbling tourist attraction as a living statue.
“IT’S UP TO THE AUDIENCE TO DECIDE IF HE’S ACTUALLY THE VILLAIN”
He longs for a simpler time when he could open his mouth without offending a colleague, but when his job is threatened, and a figure from his past returns to haunt him, he has to face up to some uncomfortable truths.
The searing portrait of male anger, fragility and vulnerability, touches on wider themes about being left behind in a small community, feeling abandoned as the world changes, and confused in the face of progression.
“Will’s fantastic comedic timing really brings the role to life on stage”
MWM must deal with his own historical misdeeds, mistakes and demons, as he tries to find a middle ground, in this newly generated production with Metal Rabbit Productions.
Joe Von Malachowski, co-writer and co-director, said “We wanted to explore a deeply ambiguous character; someone who was morally flawed, dangerous even, but who sees himself as the victim. He’s telling his story like he is a tragi hero -it’s up to the audience to decide if he’s actually the villain.”
“When we took it to the Edinburgh Fringe last year, it certainly got people talking”
“We began writing the show but had to put the whole thing on hold for a year due to COVID. But the issues MWM explores -power, consent, grappling with the past, have only become more relevant.
“When we took it to the Edinburgh Fringe last year, it certainly got people talking. It can elicit strong reactions but we’re not afraid of that. We want to get people talking.”
Co-Producer Sofi Berenger comments: “Will and Joe’s fantastic writing is poignant, funny and nuanced and Will’s fantastic comedic timing really brings the role to life on stage. We can’t wait to bring this show to Cornerstone.”
Mediocre White Male – Cornerstone Arts Centre, 25 Station Road, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 7NE Thursday May 5. https://www.cornerstone-arts.org/whats/mediocre-white-male
