GARRY ROOST
Actor,Writer,Producer
REVIEWS UK WORLD TOUR 2014 - present
Pope Head: The Secret Life of Francis Bacon
by Garry Roost
Directed by Paul Garnault
CLICK image for clip G O D Photography Ltd
Australian East Coast Tour February / March 2015
"It's a very enjoyable show!" - Richard Fidler ABC Brisbane
"If you miss this one off experience, you have only yourself to blame...just do it Sydney!
- Anna Papass - (Anna Pappass Gallery, Melbourne)
"Garry Roost's one-man performance is a raw, witty, and exploratory concoction...The reserved, polite Mr Roost easily transforms into the sardonically, witty Francis Bacon.." - Curtain Call-Newcastle Review
"This is a Mardis Gras show worth seeing!" - Theatre Unzipped
"Roost shows the depth and breadth of his skills in his momentary portrayals of other people in Bacon’s life conversing with him. He skilfully moves around three artistic pop-up banners, re-appearing with different body language and voice tones as these characters and changing back to Bacon as they talk."
- Ken Longworth (theatre critic and writer, The Newcastle Herald)
"Mesmerising portrayal!" - South Sydney Herald
"I was so impressed with Pope Head! What an amazing theatre piece." - Kylie Greer, Director - Brightspace Art Gallery, St Kilda, Melbourne
"Pope Head is a great show. A real insight into Bacon's life."
Dean Winter - Artistic Director / Royal Exhange Newcastle
"An extraordinary work. A bold and dynamic performance..."
Chrisjohn Hancock - Artistic Director / Lieder Theatre - Goulburn
"Amazing performance." - Canberra City News
Lisa Thatcher - Theatre Review
Suzy Goes See - Theatre Review
Stevie Zipper - Theatre Unzipped
5 Secrets you never knew about Francis Bacon
Tim Passmore - Same Same - Interview
Jon Adams - Scenestr Review *****
"Here we witness the power of a talented character actor, with real words that convey real passion; where the complexities of a talented artist are held up for scrutiny. Roost delivers in spades and every line is like a bullet. There is nothing superfluous with the script. It is paired back and concise. And at every opportunity we are reminded of the artist’s brilliant wit, devastating sarcasm and towering intellect." - Jon Adams - Scenetr
Curtain Call [Carl Gregory] - Review
"Roost's performance is fleet and fluent. Easy to accept as his subject." Jason Blake - Sydney Morning Herald
"Roost is right for Bacon, beautifully typecast in this rather colourful yet dramatic recounting of Bacon’s life." - Dinner and a show
Keith Gow - Melbourne Fringe Festival 2017 ****
UK Tour Edinburgh 2014 - present
The Public Reviews 2015 **** "Superb Solo Show"
ScotsGay Review Edinburgh 2015
"Pope Head is as balanced and practised as it is ballsy – between its last Edinburgh Festival run and this, it played to enthusiastic reviews on an 18-date tour of eastern Australia – and it’s an absorbing and accomplished canvas, fully deserving of your own time and reflections." David Knight
G O D Photography Ltd
"In June this had standing ovations. Everybody who came to see it was struck by a unique brilliance . Garry Roost IS Francis Bacon. If you are at all interested in Bacon please come and see this outstanding show. Nobody who sees this show leaves untouched even those who were Bacon’s friends." Sophie Parkin - Vout-O-Reenee'
Audience comments :
"Breath-taking. Mr Roost captured the strange mix of arrogance and yet vulnerability in the Warhol persona as well as presenting well delineated vignettes of members of, and visitors to, 'The Factory'. " ***** - Pentameters Theatre Previews - 22nd July 2018
"This play was very well written and delivered. A one man play, Garry Roost playing a variety of roles by using props to switch character." - 21st July
" A very enjoyable solo piece, with an interesting story and great character acting." **** - 20th July
"A fantastic show - must see at the fringe." Edinburgh Fringe Warhol Facebook page Audience review ***** 6th Aug 2018
"Garry I really enjoyed the show today. It was the highlight of my fringe day!" Twitter audience comment 7th Aug 2018
"A tour de force..." 8th Aug
"Start of a long day at #edfringe with excellent @WarholBulletKar in the grassmarket. Great one man show..learnt tons." Twitter 20th Aug
"An edgy, gritty and compassionate portrayal that compels, educates and entertains. We were taken with Garry's performance at the 2018 Edinburgh fringe and highly recommend seeing his show." Facebook Warhol page 20th Aug
Professional comments:
Nick Steel CEO Bath Comedy Festival: "Brilliant. I would recommend it to anyone!" 21st Aug 2018
Ryan Alexander Dewar - Scottish Film/Theatre maker: "Inspirational... Honest, Real, Hopeful. Insightful. Witty. A vividly told journey of such a colourful icon."
John McCann - DUPed The Play - Edinburgh Fringe First: "Beautiful play. Garry knocks it out of the park. Golden hour..."
Paul Levy - FringeReview: "An excellent show...a consummate performer."
Geoff Whiting - Mirth Control: " A great writer and performer...brought the characters to life so brilliantly."
Mr Twonkey of Twonkeyverse - Award Winning Comedian: " I thought it was brilliant!"
Brian Ritchie Bassist - Violent Femmes - CEO MONA FOMA - Museum of Old and New Art -Tasmania 14th March 2019 " A tour de force!"
Head of Learning Technology - Glasgow School of Art "That was amazing!" Virtual performance Warhol - 16th April 2021
Reviews:
"Stunning and electric performance." Anastasia Lambis Adelaide Fringe Reviews ****
"Garry Roost. Master of the solo show." Graham Wilson - The Creator Incubator Hamilton North
"A meticulous observer, Roost captures the vulnerability of the artist. His friendships with “it- girl” Edie Sedgwick, Truman Capote, Lou Reed and various wannabe actors." Kerry Cooper - Stage Whispers - Adelaide Fringe 2019
"All round five star performance" Roberto Chuter Film Maker, Theatre Maker, Fitzroy Painting, Melbourne 2019 *****
Treasury 1860 posts Adelaide Fringe Festival 2019
Warhol: Bullet Karma
by Garry Roost
Directed by Kenneth Hadley
"I saw your Andy play and I found it too cool. The Valerie detail portion was so surreal, I liked your voice. Your play on Andy Warhol is very important for art history." Armand Schaubroeck - ROCFringe New York 2024 (Collaborator, Muse of Warhol 1964-1987)