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In this stunning theater, somebody might get hurt.

The Rude Mechanicals can be counted on to produce jaw-dropping pieces of theater, and perhaps no piece they’ve produced can match The Method Gun, their awe-inspiring look into the teaching methods of Stella Burden. Having received plenty of acclaim for their world premiere of this production last year, the team returns with a new look, a new cast, and a brand new audience to impress. For old hats, there’s plenty of new material here to sink your teeth into, and for newcomers, well, you’re in for one heck of a ride.

The Method Gun follows the Rude Mechanicals as they delve deep into the lives of the students touched by the disappearance and supposed death of important theatrical instructor Stella Burden, famous for “The Approach,”, an acting method revered for its effectiveness, and its dangerousness. The members of the Rude Mechs act out reproductions of both rehearsals and the scenes themselves, as the students they’re studying attempt to put on a production of the classic Tennessee Williams play A Streetcar Named Desire, without its four main stars. To do this, the actors go through numerous exercises to hone their bodies and minds, completing the training with the most dangerous of all of Burden’s exercises, “The Method Gun.” There’s no describing this technique. No describing.

In fact you never know what to expect when you watch the show, with a surprise at every turn of the page. Normal interviews reach into levels of insanity; scenes from a classic play become pornographic musical numbers; and a loveable Latin tiger appears when, and where, you least expect him, leaving the audience in a constant state of awe. It’s strange, to extremes at times, but it’s also one of the most unique and fascinating pieces you’re likely to see this year. Writer Kirk Lynn shows he has more creativity in him than most of Austin put together, and the production has the Rude Mechs at the top of their game, from director Shawn Sides, to the actors, who sacrifice life and limb for the sake of our entertainment, to the clever lighting directors, stage managers, and everyone in between.

I cannot stress enough, despite the presence of a very adorable tiger, this absolutely is not a piece for anyone under 18. The play features strong language and some full frontal nudity from a few members of the cast, so it’s best you leave the little ones at home for this one. For anyone else, if bizarre and intrigue are your thing, make your way out to the Off Center and get ready to have your mind blown. The Method Gun is the wildest piece to hit Austin since, well, since Rude Mechs debuted The Method Gun at the Long Center last year.


The Method Gun is showing Thursdays through Sundays, through May 2, at Rude Mechanicals’ theater, The Off Center at 2211 Hidalgo St. Tickets are $12-$25, and are available here.