Arguably the most important show in what’s left of human history.
STREET THEATRE 25-30 August 2009
Rod Qantock has been around the block. I just can’t the image of him prancing around in that nightie in the Capt’n Snooze TV ads out of my mind. But Qantock’s true gift is using his comedic talent to pounce on an issue and grappling with it until it lies, wasted, on the floor of our conscience. So effective is his commitment that he was the recipient of the 2005 Adelaide Justice Coalition Romero Community Award for his contribution to Australian social justice.
Shoving the facts of climate change down our throats has become Qantock’s new raison d’être – and he does it in his inimitable way so that we actually get to laugh out loud at our ignorance and lack of a sense of urgency about this issue.
“It’s the greatest challenge humanity’s ever had to face. And history tells us we’re not very good at cooperating, but that’s what we’ve got to work towards. The sadness is there’s so little time. And it’s just as urgent as urgent can be.”
In his words, “If climate change doesn’t scare you shitless, then you just don’t get the science.”
Qantock has done his homework, and when he gives you his take on the physics, chemistry, biology, geology, paleontology, cosmology and meteorology of climate science you’ll get it too. And then… you’ll be scared shitless!
He’s talked to leading climate scientists, read the reports and watched the documentaries; he has taken the news stories big and small and joined the dots: worst fires, longest droughts, most devastating storms, mass extinctions, ice caps melting, polar bears drowning… But, hey! Bugger the polar bears, this is serious.
And why the polar bears?
“I hate polar bears,” says Qantock. “Why is climate change always about polar bears? Who’s their agent? It’s not like they’re the only ones who’ll be extinct. Chances are we will all be extinct!
Bugger the Polar Bears will be Qantock’s first return season to Canberra after his 2007 sell-out called The Farewell John Howard Party.
SHOWS: Tues – Thurs 7pm; Fri-Sat 8.30pm; Sunday 6.30pm
TICKETS: $22 – $32 Tuesday all tix $20
BOOKINGS: www.thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223 or at the box office
