Gasp

The privatisation of the world’s air is a concept as immoral as it is scientifically implausible but razor-sharp playwright Ben Elton makes it work in Gasp as he crafts a hilarious socio-political commentary on the capitalistic and consumerist nature of modern-day Australia. This absurd plot device provides a strong analogy for the resources industry and the issues we’re now facing in our free-market, profit-driven economy. Such a heavy subtext shouldn’t intimidate audiences though. The cultural references are unstoppable, the performances are fantastic and the set stunning. The first act demonstrates the meteoric rise of the resource industry and corporate competition while the second covers the anticipated backlash of an unchecked free market and the societal divide it creates. A conversation as old as Hayek, it’s also as thought-provoking as ever. Gasp poses some of the big questions: Who owns our natural resources? Who has the right to sell them, and to whom? No one is immune to Elton’s wrath, including Tony Abbott, the ALP, Gina Rinehart, Clive Palmer and Rupert Murdoch as well as major corporations like Apple and Starbucks. Ironically, Gasp is brought to you by Rio Tinto.

State Theatre of WA to 9 Nov