The slightest mention of debt is often enough to cartwheel some people into depression. Fortunately, with Money’s Too Tight to Mention, comedian Stuart Taylor and director Heinrich Reisenhofer have created a gem of a show that is both entertaining and insightful.
The award winning duo’s production focuses on Taylor’s personal struggle with money, discussing how he had to climb out of the murky pit of debt and back to financial stability. Taylor delivers his tale with remarkable wit and a keen eye for society’s attitudes towards money and all things material.
While Taylor’s experience was unique to him, he draws lessons from it that everyone can relate to. This, coupled with his candid style and sharp observations, mean that at countless times during the show it is possible to feel the guilty smiles of agreement rippling through the audience, and heads nodding ruefully as the lives and monetary woes of the audience are mirrored in comedic anecdotes. It got to the point where one audience member confessed to a substantial debt owed on three (that’s right, three) credit cards and our eyes were opened to the insane cycle of acquisition, debt and keeping up (and down) with the Joneses.
Indeed, the topic is weighty, but Taylor has an innate ability to turn the serious into a light-hearted subject, without making it seem trite or euphemised. In fact, by acknowledging the curse that is debt and by being able to laugh about it, Taylor reminds us that whatever the financial weight on our shoulders, we should not allow this to overshadow the things in life that truly bring us happiness.
This show definitely won’t lighten the load that money places on you, but it will lift the emotional burden associated with cash, even if just for a while. Ultimately, it will change your perspective on those little coins, notes and cards in your wallet. I’ll put my money on that.
Craig Feris
Money’s too Tight to Mention runs at The Baxter Theatre 18 January – 4 February 2012.
Becuase money is to tight to mention, don’t waste your money on this show. I’ts a disappointment and a total waste of time.. to be frank it’s a rip off and not worth a R100 bucks. It’s just “I, I, I” or “my wife and I” the whole time… what a lame script.
They must either fire the writer or Stuart is not the right person for the story. At times he practically begs the audience to laugh when he remarks “could someone please explain the joke to the people sitting here in the middle”.
Boring, boring, boring.