Lara Ricote - Inkling

This was special. 

 Lara Ricote begins her show perched perilously atop two wooden stools, violently gnashing her teeth in an impression of The Oracle of Delphi, with moral precepts from Ancient Greece printed on three giant cards behind her.

I could sense that people around me were wondering if they’d stumbled into some sort of high-brow performance art by accident, but it wasn’t long before we were all completely smitten with Lara and her journey of self-discovery following the end of a six-year relationship.

Only when you’re this authentically yourself can you create a half-dozen distinct comedic moments with only a cup of water, convince each audience member to shout out the word they’re personally most insulted by, and test out an entirely new ending halfway through your festival run that manages to leave a tear in everyone’s eye. 

I’m going to be thinking about Lara’s performance for a very long time, and I hope she finds an excuse to come back to Melbourne again soon.