A first date which includes puppets, sourdough starter, music and plenty of new discoveries

Say hello to Rebekkah Law, producer and creative for Squirt Productions. Rebekkah is an independent, young creative with a passion for projects which connect and bring communities together in joyful ways.

Tell us about the show in 100 words or less

Starter Boyfriend is a playful and whacky two-hander showing at Arcana, Mooroka. Join Ryann and Charlie on their first date - which just happens to include puppets, sourdough starter, music and plenty of new discoveries. From first times to watersports, they’re figuring it all out together in this cheeky, light-hearted story about finding your truth through love and community.

Anywhere Festival takes place anywhere but a theatre. Tell us about your venue. What is it about your space that adds to your audience experience?

Starter Boyfriend is really lucky to be going up at Arcana, Moorooka. We love this venue because it’s an Anywhere Hub Venue which means there’ll be plenty of performances in one space for us and the audience to enjoy. It’s easy to support the arts when it means just hanging around in one awesome venue (which does also have a bar and a food truck!).

What is your creative process like?

Our creative process started with a lot of research and sharing stories with each other. This show is close to our hearts as the characters share parts of their identities (particularly their gender and sexuality) with their performers and so we thought it was important to get to know each other a bit better as people! It can be really dangerous when you identify as part of a community like the LGBTIQ+ community to think you can speak for everyone and every identity even when you have no lived experience of that, so in our process we’ve really tried to make the show an authentic representation of our lived experiences, one that will be relatable to straight and queer people, but one that doesn’t try to tell any grand narratives about a queer existence.

Tell us your origin story. How did your show start?

Starter Boyfriend is a bit of a brainchild of mine that I’ve been dreaming up for a year or so now. At the start of this year, I finally built up the courage to put the idea out into the world and from there people have joined the project in various ways to expand the idea and realise it in this first iteration!

Who is your perfect audience member? Who is going to LOVE this event?

This show is for LGBTIQIAP+ Brotherboy and Sistergirl communities and allies, it’s for young people, it’s for people who want to see authentic relationships on stage, people who want a light-hearted night and people who feel like they haven’t got everything figured out just yet. If you’re a lover of silliness and a bit of awkward sexiness, this is the show for you!

Is there anything else we simply MUST know about the show?

One of our actor/devisers is also an incredible visual artist! She’s got a range of art offerings going at the moment that we’re selling to cover our costs for the show.  With the option to collect your limited-edition painting at the show, you can view art and then take some home as a keepsake too! How rad! Check out our Instagram page @squi.rtproductions for more details.

Starter Boyfriend is on as part of Anywhere Festival on the 8,9,14,15 May at Arcana Brisbane.

Image credit: Eli Free and Rebekkah Law