Subtitles Not Included | Thalia Novela
Thalia Novela is a self-described Queer Latin-x boy coming to Australia looking for ostrich feathers, acceptance and love, and these ambitions are covered in three distinct sections of the show. As Thalia struts on stage complete with white glamorous negligée and sequins, it is obvious that she has a following from the local drag scene. A continuous stream of cat calls amidst the soundtrack of Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend, Material Girl and Single Ladies belie a raunchy strip tease rivalling some of Brisbane’s hottest burlesque performances.
Images including cover: Jade Ellis Photography.
A thick accent carries the house rules, “Don't jump on stage, this is not glee, it's fun, we looooove feelings”. Thalia switches from sultry to storytelling to stand-up comedy welcoming us to her world of the last 9 years. Imagine coming to Australia thinking it was going to be like Emily in Paris, working with others, studying a PHD, but the reality is from previously working as a biologist to cleaning toilets or working hospitality having to laugh at customer jokes wondering if you should charge them an extra $5 (for the free therapy also…) I loved these very humorous and blatant one liners delivered to elicit a reaction. I laughed numerous times feeling guilty like I’d stepped into a private conversation listening to a slew of in-house stabs which seemed so naughty to laugh at in case someone got offended - the audience wasn’t! Some too racy to share here, however picture sex toy shopping in groups, the politics of fisting and Uber eats sounding very similar to Grinder. Thalia’s quick wit and ease in reading the audience kept the show upbeat for the most part.
What struck me in the second scene was Thalia’s exploration of not being able to be outwardly Queer in her country, yet coming here was a revelation for her love of gender diversity and celebration of identity, yet being an immigrant has its downsides. The historical influences weave into the intersection of her story; of being Mayan before colonisation and the erasure of culture brought by the infiltration by the Church of the Spanish Empire in the 1500s. Deep poignant remarks centre on the emasculation of men creating machoism and the disassociation from self. Not safe to be LGBTQI or non-binary, not safe to wear leopard print, being raised Catholic and not being one’s authentic self.
“They turned it into a horrible garden where people like me don’t belong”.
The next burlesque routine was a dramatic change in pace. The tone dissolves into a space moving from heights of comedy to such irrepressible vulnerability changing the pace and audience interaction with the show. Thalia strips down in dim light, kneeling without her wig, beckoning "Will you still love me?"
The final act sees Thalia back in an amazing red themed outfit with a comedic narrative on love and the highs and lows of cross-cultural euphemisms on dating and picking up. The last burlesque scene featured an over-the-top display of raunch to the lyrics of “Give me your heart, don’t you forget about me”. The audience is revved up one final time for an unforgettable finale.
A thunderous applause fills the theatre from the many fans in the audience and the love for Thalia in for her debut show is very present – her comedy is excellent, the costumes and burlesque routines are exquisite. I look forward to seeing this show evolve and grow for its depth, humour and revelations.
