Review: Ashley Dowds delivers a tender and nuanced performance in The Return of Elvis Pisane

Ashley Dowds delivers a tender and nuanced performance in Paul Slabolepszy’s play, The Return of Elvis Pisane. The award winning play, was first staged in 1992 and is about a down and out sales person who is at the end of his tether. He is about to end it all but a visitation signals hope and the call-out to continue. I won’t plot spoil.

Ashley Dowds is superb in this dark one hander, navigating the space and conjuring up a life lived with regret in the wake of trauma. Dowds nails accents and characterisations and gives a riveting solo performance.

Tight direction by Paul Slab provides an intense gaze on the world of this man who is kaput from it all – the present and past. His missives are very much tracked by white nostalgia which speaks of this character and his milieu. Yes, being down and out is universal and relatable to all – no matter the context and societal circumstances. However, this play in conjuring up a life, taps into nostalgia for a past which includes Dick Tracy (the American cartoon character and later a TV series), Wicks bubble gum, bioscope and mine dance on mine dumps. Unless you are white, mine dance is unlikely to be part of your memory bank so I did wince somewhat at some references. I do understand that this is the milieu of this 46 year old small town character, mooching on a street corner in Witbank but this veers to white nostalgia.

Paul Slab’s fabulous ear for dialogue and argot is evidenced in the writing of this touching and warm hearted play, beautifully conveyed by Ashley Dowds in an emotionally intense performance with the light relief of interludes with humour and bursts of song. It is stirring theatre.

✳ Images by Keaton Ditchfield. Supplied.