Bombay to Bejing by Bicycle

Like many fringe shows the title is hardly metaphorical; we follow one man on his journey from Bombay to Beijing (mostly) by a bicycle. But, unlike many others there is more to this than its alliterated catch phrase tells.

Australian comic Russell McGilton has constructed this energetic one-man play based on his own travel experience and book. He is ashamed of no detail, not his violent diarrhoea, achy balls, or his tense relationship with his girlfriend. McGilton races through his story playing every character intriguingly, from an intimidating Indian doctor and various begging children to his bizarre fellow travellers and visions of his dead father.

It is undeniably impressive to watch such an eclectic, fast moving performer switch from character to character and scene to scene in seconds, never faltering, with the help of two simple and rarely used props. Bombay to Beijing is a happy reminder that theatre does not require flamboyant costumes or realistic sets to be affective.

What theatre does need however is selectivity, but McGilton’s effort is so crammed full and rushed that it is more exhausting than engaging to watch. Whilst he clearly had a lot to include, his show would have benefited from a little bit of editing. It is however highly entertaining even if it is just another story about somebody else’s travels.