Alex Lykos’ comedy, It’s War, plays out like a ‘90s sitcom. It’s populated by all the familiar stereotypes – the football referee husband and his not-from-around-here wife; the no-nonsense cop who just wants to get on with the job; the gossip-mongering neighbourhood pest who repeatedly cries “I’m no gossip!” With the stage spread across two families’ front yards and a surreal moment where the entire cast huddles round and sings the theme from Friends, this sitcom feeling is hard to shake.
The story of It’s War is exactly what you’d expect from so familiar a setting. Two families, perfect models of neighbourly harmony, find their relationship deteriorating through a string of small incidents that rapidly spiral out of control. One couple’s plans to install an extension in their backyard prompts an act of revenge from their neighbours, each act inspiring retaliation and taking their relationship further and further beyond any hope of reconciliation. Unsurprisingly, the ensuing conflict is not characterised by a sophisticated and responsible debate. Instead, vulgar language, petty ethnic jibes and sexual allegations abound.
As a play, It’s War felt somewhat unpolished. While suitably fast-paced and exaggerated, at times the dialogue and acting nonetheless felt rushed and the humour was often more discomfiting and awkward than irreverent. However, if you’re looking for a play that’s rude, crude and Aussie to the core, you need look no further than It’s War.
