After witnessing I Can Have A Dark Side Too, this reviewer needs to jump on his soapbox and declare that not all ‘must see’ great shows are in gluttonous gardens or squares named after Queens, they can be found in smaller, slightly out of the way places such as The Mill (and a lot cheaper) as well. I Can Have A Dark Side Too opened to a meagre audience of seven (this reviewer included). This incredible piece of theatre deserves full houses each and every performance.

I Can Have A Dark Side Too is aptly named: it is a very, very dark black comedy, with much emphasis on the ‘black’ rather than the ‘comedy’. But dealing with the issue of mental health, it needs to. The show is not overly heavy though, and indeed has a few little titter moments. In fact, to lighten our exit from the theatre, the ending seems to be a nod to Mel Brooks’ The Producers.

Western Australian writer/director/actor Glenn Wallis presents us with smothered mummy’s boy, even though he is just turning 30, Ray, who as children’s entertainer “Sergeant Safety” and armed (literally) with his glove puppet, “Criminal Emmett”, tours primary schools teaching the young pupils right from wrong – don’t use knives unattended by adults, how to handle bullies etc. But gradually Ray’s inner demons, as relayed through “Emmett”, take over.

The audience is at first lulled into a false sense of security as Wallis presents Ray as “Sergeant Safety”, giving a glorious p**s take of school education performers. Wallis is so good that this reviewer feels he himself must have been a professional children’s entertainer in a past life.

Wallis is absolutely fascinating to watch. His decline as Ray is a master class in emotional and physical acting. His interaction with and manipulation of glove puppet “Emmett” is so succinct and clear in motivation that one wonders at times who is actually controlling whom. Wallis gives a beautifully slick and flowing performance with the show never lagging nor dull.

It is also a slick production sound and lighting wise with everything timed perfectly and sound levels just right. Kudos certainly needs to go to technician Kat (surname not known) for a brilliant job.

I Can Have A Dark Side Too is a show that should not be missed for sheer theatricality alone.