Inside Andrew Buckland’sThe Fool’s Guide: Modern absurdity, laughter and humanity

Image by Hans van der Veen

Written by Andrew and Janet Buckland, with Janet directing, the production follows Milton Yonaire, played by Buckland, as he races to save his son Billy from the TechBro Overlords in a surreal world filled with unforgettable characters, unexpected twists and Buckland’s signature physical comedy.

A one-man tour de force through a changing world

Often described as a one-man tour de force, Buckland’s performance showcases the extraordinary skill of a performer who can create an entire theatrical universe alone on stage.

The 70-minute solo production relies on little more than a chair, carefully crafted lighting and Buckland’s remarkable command of his body and voice to bring an entire world to life.

Throughout the production, he seamlessly moves between a diverse cast of characters, from humans and animals to a mysterious robot vacuum cleaner, bringing each one to life through his physicality, timing and storytelling ability.

Sitting in the front row, I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the performance, completely absorbed as Buckland painted this strange, surreal world around us.

One moment he is Milton Yonaire, a father racing to save his son Billy, and the next he transforms into a devoted fan, a vulnerable Teacup Yorkie named Porky, the villainous Chad, or the mysterious Home Robot Vacuum Cleaner.

The audience laughed continuously from beginning to end, with moments of such brilliance that tears were rolling down faces as Buckland effortlessly transformed from one character into another.

It is this ability to create an entire cast of unforgettable characters alone on stage that makes the performance so captivating.

A celebration of laughter, imagination and humanity

Through this bizarre yet familiar world, The Fool’s Guide to Living and Dying explores the ways technology, artificial intelligence and social media continue to shape human connection and everyday life.

Rather than relying on elaborate sets or effects, the production places the focus entirely on the performer and the power of imagination.

The Cape Robyn described the production as “a wacky, wry, hilarious, and clever wild car ride through the AI-influenced landscape of ours”, while Broadway World highlighted the “exquisite contrast between the subject and the method” as one of the show’s greatest strengths.

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By the final moments, the audience could not help but rise to their feet and applaud, celebrating a performance that showcased the power of live theatre and the remarkable talent of an actor at the peak of his craft.

Since 1980, Buckland, alongside Janet Buckland, has created a body of work rooted in physical theatre, satire and the belief in the transformative power of laughter. The Fool’s Guide to Living and Dying continues this legacy, reminding audiences that even in an increasingly digital world, imagination, emotion and human connection remain powerful forces.

The Fool’s Guide to Living and Dying runs at the Baxter Flipside from 4 to 15 August 2026 at 7:30pm, with Saturday matinee performances at 2:30pm.

Tickets are available via Webtickets online or at Pick n Pay stores.