In Your Dreams | Polytoxic
All images: Jade Ellis Photography
It is not often that I get the first line of my review handed to me during a performance. According to Polytoxic, my review should start with “five stars and checking [my] privilege”. We don’t do star ratings at Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane, but I’ll happily make an exception for Polytoxic’s new work, In Your Dreams. This show promises a line-up of glass-ceiling smashing, system dismantling, genderqueer, fiercely intersectional artists, and delivers spectacularly on this promise.
The premise of the show is an awards night, where we are held hostage with colourful prop guns by Polytoxic founders Lisa Fa’alafi and Leah Shelton, who declare they are taking over and presenting their own awards show, the FOMOEOS Awards (Fuck Off Misogynist Oppressors Eat Our Shit Awards). From here the audience is presented with over an hour of unapologetic feminist cabaret.
All images: Jade Ellis Photography
I personally adored every moment that Busty Beatz and Hope One were on stage in drag as BIG M.I.C and Young Harrison, the extremely problematic rap duo. In our current culture it feels like men get to dress up as women as a “joke” all the goddamn time, and it is so great to see this duo rip apart toxic masculinity in a hilarious and at times unsettlingly believable way. A highlight is their 90s boy band the Hot Brown Homies; both funny and ridiculous, swinging their dicks around in a parody that’s not very far from reality.
All images: Jade Ellis Photography
My other personal highlight was Leah Shelton’s doll act. Starting off as an exaggeration of the feminine ideal, with big plastic lips, lashes and hair, she strips off the blonde wig and furs for latex nudity complete with perfect fake tits, and again strips that off for real human nakedness. I would call it a clowning act, but I find it quite cathartic to watch.
The show also features smooth aerial rope work from Mayu Muto as Mayu the Mutilator, in a violent and captivating act. Lilikoi Kaos auditions for the “role of Woman '' with upbeat hula-hooping and quick change, and Alinta Mcgrady’s impressive vocals live alongside important messages about land,safety, and respect for indigenous people. Lisa Fa’alafi’s traditional dancing and LED staff twirling looked flawless, she is truly a master at capturing the crowd. Lisa maintains an incredibly strong connection to the audience every time she is on stage; it often felt like she was looking straight at me, though she was definitely addressing and connecting with the whole room. This show also included guest acts from Rythmology, Richie Lestrange, and Gogo Bumhole alongside the Polytoxic performers.
All the acts, even the more serious ones, presented during In Your Dreams are high-energy and lots of fun. The show explores some serious topics but it does so in a way that is a celebration of (to borrow their words) big-clit energy. They still get the important points across, through a 75 minute intersectional party that doesn’t give a damn if you think it’s “too much”. The conservative people in your life would hate this show - 5 stars.
All images: Jade Ellis Photography
‘In Your Dreams’ was Created & Written by Lisa Fa’alafi & Leah Shelton in collaboration with the cast and debuted as a part of the 2022 MELT Festival at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
Directed by Lisa Fa’alafi & Leah Shelton
Cast:
Busty Beatz as BIG M.I.C
Hope Haami as Young Harrison
Mayu Muto as Mayu the Mutilator
Alinta Mcgrady as Badass Mutha
Lilikoi Kaos as Auditioning for Woman
Lisa Fa’alafi as Chair of Board
Leah Shelton as Sex Doll
Special Guests artists
Richie Lestrange
Gogo Bumhole
Rhythmology : Evangeline Yen, Miss Luna Thicc, Brandii Doll, Crimson Coco, Freya Armani
Music Direction: Lisa Fa’alafi & Leah Shelton in collaboration with Kim ‘Busty Beatz’ Bowers
Production Design: Lisa Fa’alafi & Leah Shelton
Lighting Design: Steven May
Production Manager: Katherine Harch
Costume Design: Lisa Fa’alafi & Leah Shelton
Costume and Props realisation: Lisa Fa’alafi, Leah Shelton, Chloe Greaves, Maryann Talia Pau, Jane Shelton, Katherine Harch, Troy Gilliland
Choreography: Lisa Fa’alafi & Leah Shelton in collaboration with the cast
Additional Choreography: Wanida Serce
Co-Creators of Girls on Film: The Brides of Frank
Original Song and Spoken Word Composition: Kim ‘Busty Beatz’ Bowers, Hope Haami and Alinta McGrady
Rigging: Helen Clifford
Stage Manager support: Dakota Hannington
Voiceover: Damian Tatum
Graphic Design: Ebony Wightman
All round supporters Vulcana Women’s circus, Dan Evans, Veronica Neave, Brisbane Powerhouse and MELT festival team and last but not least Troy Gilliland aka Working for the Matriarchy.
