Chores; The Depth of Childish Fun

Written By: Evan Kohne

Theater and performance are often referred to only as entertainment; a way to distract oneself from daily life and frolic in a new world for a few hours. This assessment of performance is both a compliment and a slander of the art. Theater can be so much more, revealing and exploring the soul and spirit of humankind while also letting the audience revel in humorous antics. Chores, an acrobatic slapstick from Hoopla Clique and Cluster Arts, serves wonderfully to demonstrate this duality. 

The two performers in Chores serve the audience, primarily youngsters ages three and up, a classic scene every person in the room is familiar with. Fresh from their mother’s scolding over the state of their room, two boys (Derek Llewellin and Julian Roberts of Australia) juggle, tumble, fumble and grumble their way through the many chores they must accomplish. All the while the performers use the audience to assist in their schemes and tricks, as well as simply being obstacles as they spray water and hurl rubbish. Both are energetic in their antics, bringing life to what could have been another mundane task every child has had to undertake. Though hardly a word is said, each is able to communicate the frustration, annoyance, and the joy of playing with your sibling. Using vocal grunts, exaggerated movements, and colorful props, even the youngest child will have little trouble following the arc of the story as the brothers progress through their task. 

Beyond the obvious goal to entertain children for an hour, Chores seeks to accomplish something more meaningful. Every slip and every exacerbated noise from a clenched face shows a child that chores, or any other activity they would normally find boring, can be made fun if you put your mind to it. In essence, the performers ensure that everyone present will remember their act the next time a bed needs making or a room needs cleaning. What more could a parent ask for than an afternoon of entertainment that also serves to teach their child the brighter side of chores? 

Chores fits into the idea of a show being both entertaining and deep in that at first glance, it is a pair of men in bright overalls doing entertaining (albeit safe) acrobatic tricks. Good fun can be had by all, but the fun may not make it past the door at the end of the show for some viewers. However, looking around during the performance, one cannot help but notice that even the oldest person in the room is likely grinning. There is no denying that the joy of a child in infectious, and for many in the audience, they get a chance to relive those emotions and experiences. They may also be able to sympathize more with the adventures and struggles of their own children, now that they see the world through a child’s eye, not their own. Additionally, the voice-overs act as stand-ins for parents, as one rages at the mess while the other works diplomatically to coax the performers into finishing their chores. To some, this could be a guide to parenting, as the performers respond differently to each approach by the parents, one positively and one negatively. 

Chores finds its strength when it acknowledges the fun romp that it is, and that the series of stunts it contains are meant to distract audiences of all ages for a few precious moments. But behind that lies a deeper desire to impart something children and adults can carry with them after the giggles and mirth have subsided. So if you are looking for a carefree and hilarious hour of acrobatics, then look no further then Chores. But if you are also looking for deeper message that can extend beyond the theater walls, don’t be so quick to count it out, for its depth may yet surprise you.