Demolition | Polytoxic
Demolition is a powerful piece of intersectional theatre that tells stories from women living under the current patriarchal structure. Rummaging through the rubble of yesterday's world, a collective of resilient truth-tellers are geared up with their own sledge hammers to smash down the current system and rebuild a new world of equality. This high energy show will have you at the edge of your seats - laughing, screaming, crying and wanting to check your inner misogyny. Incredible performance work by the extraordinary Polytoxic.
Set in the Iconic Powerhouse and welcomed into the space by a crew of tradies walking amongst their gigantic work zone - made up of a three-story scaffolding, draped with LED lighting, ‘Slippery when wet’ stripper pole and a ‘96 Toyota ute for good measure.
The opening number sets the tone with clever lyrics punching up at the colonial system, by taking a smashing at its current state, I was instantly won over. Effortless singing, tight choreography, levitating construction equipment, stunning light show and a banging soundtrack by Musical Director genius, Kim ‘Busty Beatz’ Bowers.
The audience are quickly instructed by our Safety Officer; Ghenoa ‘Jack Hammer’ Gela, on how to move with caution through this world, careful not to slip on some toxic masculinity on your way in - can I get a ‘copy that’, the audience screams in agreement ‘copy that!’. Showing the Demolition crew that we are paying close attention.
As the lights dim, the mood changes quickly from exciting to terrifying. A gruesome front row view into the nuances of how women, women of colour and trans women navigate their safety procedures to do simple things such as – walking home or getting a kebab on a hot night out on the town. Leah ‘Slippery when wet’ Shelton shows off her impressive pole tricks and hilarious comedic storytelling which turns very dark once a group of ‘Bro’s’ pull up in their Toyota to do the unthinkable – or is it? The bro’s gather around the woman, passed out, inciting her to ‘get into my car’ while encouraging each other with excitement, the scene left me feeling sick to my stomach on how real this situation is. Out of the shadows, Mayu arrives and stares down the group of guys as they rush off, instilling in all of us that we should act on our instinct and protect one another. I witnessed a tough display of solidarity and a reminder to never give any dodgy situation with a woman and a group of guys the benefit of the doubt.
There is nothing weak about this show, Lilikoi ‘Danger Zone’ Kaos showing us just that, as she makes us squirm with her electric drill. Mayu Muto giving a powerful aerial show of strength and Ghenoa Gela screaming her frustrations of racial profiling by pulling a ute by rope. Not long after instructing the Danger Zone audience - a special seated area on stage, to do the same. Proving that even a group of seven could not succeed.
The strongest part for me was the immense vulnerability shown by Zayah Bond and Lisa Fa’alafi in an emotional contemporary dance choreographed by Mariah Pelesa. Multi-levelled and multi-layered, I resonated greatly with this piece as it focuses on gender dysphoria and the complexities of trying to live within the gender binary construct. Lisa is then suspended in the air while our hearts dropped but then softly and delicately assembled back in place, with a call to home – a spoken word piece highlighting the importance of returning to country so the next generation remember our names and know who their Ancestors are, a message of hope to all Indigenous who have been displaced due to the brutal force of colonization - an even bigger realisation, palatable to non-Indigenous people showcasing the issues we face regarding intergenerational trauma and stolen land.
This work left me feeling seen on so many levels - as a Queer non-binary person struggling to fit the status quo, as a Maori woman who wasn’t raised on her Marae or Ancestral lands, as a Mother realising the importance of embracing culture for your children’s future, as a woman being surrounded by the constant pressures of living up to the patriarchal structure and never feeling good enough. I felt uplifted, hopeful, powerful and full of rage. Most of all, I felt like the many layers to my being were being reflected on stage in front of me in the theatre, which isn’t always the choice of venue when seeking queer black and brown stories. If you love works such as Hot Brown Honey or Apocalipstick, this is a show you do not want to miss.
Demolition is jam-packed with layers of truth leaving nothing unturned. Accompanied by a world-class ensemble diversely representing all women, with talents ranging from song, dance, circus and poetry. This outstanding work is important for all men alike to witness and become aware of what women in their lives go through on a daily basis, so they can form a better understanding of the gender hierarchy and in turn, create safer environments for all and help women break down the current power structure. It’s time to blow up the system and build community so we can all rise together equally - regardless of race, gender, age or sexuality.
