Demolition | Polytoxic
Polytoxic’s show Demolition is not only a staggering showcasing of Circus and Theatre, it is a moving and uplifting Call-To-Arms. The effortless shift of scenes drew my senses in and catapulted me from issue to issue that many women in this world face on a daily basis.
Demolition slices into the trickiness with a sharpened wit into topics like Consent, De-colonisation, Stolen Land and just trying to get home safely at night. Demolition left me nourished, made me feel visible, and I got great delight at the imagined white middle class male audience leaving full albeit being force fed, and about freakin’ time!
A casual curtain raising scene, flung into sophisticated and syncopated dance routines, flexibility and dynamics, core-strength and agility, disorientating AV + flashy wardrobe. It’s all in there. And it’s juicy af.
Another spectacular offering from powerhouse producing team - Lisa Fa’alafi and Leah Shelton underpinned by the musical direction from long term member Kim 'Busty Beatz' Bowers. And just when I thought things couldn't possibly get any better after Hot Brown Honey, these amazing creatives pull this together. Where do they get their energy from? Anger probs.
A moment of discomfort occurred for me when a few audience members laughed during the ‘no alone zone’ scenes. Circus is captivating, theatre is often hilarious, but surely rape culture isn’t? Perhaps it is, when hidden in the shit sandwich Polytoxic delivers with that cunning Polynesian smile.
Ghenoa Gela as Jack Hammer brings the brawn into the team with their talkative eyebrows and debonair flair. Lilikoi Kaos as Danger Zone flexes their multi-disciplines as the hype-femme, hoola loola, and literal drill sargeant. Abbey Church sends sparks flying, with their ever Cool. Stunning rope work from Mayu Muto. Reverent dance from Zayah from House of Alexander, who I couldn't take my eyes off all night. Soaring soul pipes and shake that booty energy from Alinta. Malo QWEENS. Just thank you, take my money and let me be your groupie. Pls.
Layers upon layers of meaning, limitless flow escalating the empathy required to change the hearts and minds of people who may not have experienced discrimination and fear in their lives. Good art does this, and Demolition has succeeded in making me laugh at the ugly, and cry at their courage.
Courage I see in the women who walk to their car alone at night prepared for the worst, the courage I see in the non-binary folk who cop it but get stronger, the courage the fa’atama and fakatangata that wanna come out to their grandma saying they like women, not men.
Grandma says, “If you can do all of the men’s work, work on the farm, work hard, beat them at fights and provide for your family - I will accept you - can you do that?”
Polytoxic waves a banner high in reply with a resounding ‘Yeah Grandma, and then some’.
All images: Joel Devereux
