Jawbone: The Provocative One Man Show by Alex Lykos

Personal life – FAILURE, Professional life – FAILURE, Social life – NON EXISTING. All of this is about to change.

Jawbone is a provocative, daring, and dark comedy about a man on the limit trying to come to terms with his place in the world. You are going to laugh. You’ll cry. You will laugh again. You will cry again.

Lykos is the only person on stage but viewers watch him mesmerized, as he plays over a dozen characters in a fascinating way that makes audiences laugh and cry.

The one man show, written and performed by Alex Lykos, examines the mythology of the modern day ‘successful man’ who by modern definition is married, has two children, a well-paying job, an investment property and takes the family regular vacations.

Tim did not reach any of these milestones. His family, friends, and society in general view him as a failure – just like him. It is in this lowest state that he detaches himself from the chains of his own existence.

Alex Lykos is a Sydney-based theater designer and filmmaker. While much of Lykos’ work has been inspired by his Greek roots, he says he has endeavored to explore the telling of stories that reflect not only the Greek Diaspora, but all of humanity.

Alex has won numerous awards as an actor, writer and director, making him one of Australia’s leading storytellers.

He is best known as the creator of Alex and Eve (2016) featuring Andrea Demetriades, which was a hit in Australian cinemas and performed at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Me and My Left Brain (2019), who has performed at international festivals around the world, in Europe, the United States and South Africa. It has sold to over 24 territories and is now on Amazon Prime in the US and UK.

His theatrical productions also include Game: The Musical, It’s War, Better Man, and the Alex & Eve trilogy.

“Writing and performing this show was both cathartic and painful,” says Alex.

“Cathartic in that the frustrations and anger that I have had in life for the past 12 months, I have purged them on the keyboard.

“Painful because in many ways it’s a regret show and I was forced to look back on my life and relive the regrets I had.

Original music by Australia’s most admired conductor, composer and musical arranger George ellis, brilliantly intensifies the emotion throughout the production.

George ellis Award-winning Ellis has made a career of combining symphony orchestras with popular artists such as Lou Reed, The Church, Sneaky Sound System, Human Nature, Augie March, GangGajang, Guy Sebastian, Paulini, David Campbell, John Williamson, Marcia Hines, Alex Lloyd, Deborah Conway, John Paul Young, Troy Casser-Daley, Grace Knight, Jade MacRae, Jeff Duff, Felicity Urqhuart and Don Spencer – to name a few.

Highlights of George’s career have included Olympic opening ceremonies, arts and cultural festivals, opening nights, ARIA awards, and athletic finals such as the NRL and Davis Cup.

Asked about working with the musical brain, Alex said, “For me, this has been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable collaborations. When you collaborate with someone, you don’t necessarily know how it will play out. But there was something pretty organic about George, we just gelled.

“At first he read the play, we talked about it, then he left thinking about the music.

“George was the first person I played the show at his house, and I was afraid he would think, ‘What the hell did I get myself into? “Alex confesses.

“He didn’t, thank goodness. Then he started writing songs and playing them in front of me, and it was so exciting.

“His music brings out some emotional moments in the show… and to be completely honest, there are times when my character gets very emotional, and as an actor I don’t have to do much. other than listening to George’s music because it arouses emotions and takes me where I need to go emotionally, ”says Alex.

“The music from the production, even on its own, is really beautiful to listen to.”

Alex Lykos Jawbone “The character is definitely based on some of my own personal experiences,” Alex concludes.

“You reach a point in your life where you are not where you were hoping to be and you start to look back and ask yourself, ‘If only I would…. My life would be…. And it can play on your psyche.

Described by ‘The writers’ room‘like “an immersive and sustained theatrical experience, with lots of laughs”, Maxillary opens this Wednesday, May 26 at the Factory Theater.

Alex Lykos Jawbone