Apocalipstick | Polytoxic
Apocalipstick really, truly deserves to be seen. It made me laugh out loud - repeatedly. It’s visceral messages will blow you away. It’s an ultimate feast for the senses. It’s nuanced delivery is nothing short of outstanding. It’s what makes Brisbane even more special.
Songs My Aunties Taught Me | Heru Pinkasova & Dr Rhythm
Wow wow wow. I feel like my eardrums have just been given a delightful, melodic pounding. Songs My Aunties Taught Me is part opera, part beatboxing, part comedy, and one hundred percent remarkable. This first collaboration between songstress Heru Pinkasova and the beatboxing, drumming Dr Rhythm is a melodious fusion of two very different art forms, which tells the stories of influential women in Heru’s life; both her mother and aunties, and the great women of colour who sang before her.
Circus’cision | Head First Acrobats & Guests
Growing up in rural Australia, the circus is just that: the cliché one that would come to town every now and then. There wasn’t anything particularly bad about those circuses, but they never could grab my attention in the way Circus’cision does. It’s different and brands itself on being a more adult oriented circus cabaret promising delightfully offensive language and the tease of potential nudity.
Dionysus | Tom Oliver Productions
What kind of show has us singing along to a gospel song one moment and gawking at a hyper realistic stiff plastic cock in the next? A fringe-festival renegade cabaret, that’s what!
Songs My Aunties Taught Me | Heru Pinkasova & Dr Rhythm
The interactions between Aunty Heru and Jonny Drama brings out a humorous side to the show and the chemistry between them is endearing as it feels like they have both known each other for a long time and that they have toured lengthy with this show despite it being their first. As talented as Heru is with her voice, Jonny’s beatboxing skills are similarly impressive.
Absolute Objectivity | Backbone
A pop culture fairytale for the internet age, Sampson Smith’s new musical comedy Absolute Objectivity has finally downloaded its way into Backbone Youth Arts. Takes us on a journey to the world elections in the year 2054 where - since the mysterious disappearance of left-wing messiah Turny Banders - the CEO of the world’s largest, and only, corporation ‘Dooglecorp’ has run unopposed as World President for two decades. This journey is filled with rap battles, emotional ballads, sexy times and the most glamorous of costumes.
Absolute Objectivity | Backbone
Backbone was transformed into a glowing corporate dystopia that conjured up visions of 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Apple store. The cast of six emerged clad in matching glittery silver suits and launched into it with the aptly titled, punchy ‘Opening Number’. They brought energy, mostly synchronised dancing and set the tone for one and a half hours of playful absurdity and witty banter.
Bearded Bingo | Briefs Factory and Cluster Arts
Hosted by the very glamorous Shivannah, Thom and Captain Kidd, the mid morning was full of chaotic energy as each contestant fought to be the first one to complete their bingo combination. These very sexcellent bingo combinations included the little willy (one top, one middle, one bottom), the full house (everything), the hourglass (three top, two middle, three bottom) and Tasmania (three top, two middle, one bottom).
Chameleon | Karen Lee Roberts
There are many moments I feel swept away by the honesty of living her experience throughout the entire show – particularly the scene where she acts out the consequences of going off meds including a full blown episode involving her partner. Alexandra pleads for help whilst portraying what it’s like to experience the fear of abandonment and confusion caused by changes to her brain chemistry. This was deeply raw and personal and an effective mechanism to flush out any remaining judgment the audience might have.
Creepy Cabaret | EC Venue and Damien Cassidy
Creepy Cabaret is just that - a tale of fake blood, puppets and blow up dolls, and a homage to sex (or lack of) complete with a twist on risking the status quo. It’s a great show and producer Damien Cassidy has pulled together a diverse international stellar cast in the one room.
Tit’s Up | Good Chat Comedy Club
There was something really welcoming about an all-woman line-up. There was no bros club vibes, no borderline sexist jokes to bore the women in the crowd, no locker room humour, plenty of smut but all of it was self-directed, this was art that punches up – and really there should be no other kind – nobody made anyone uncomfortable, except in a nerdy kind of way, and it was a real relief to be honest.
It was a solid way to spend a Friday night. Would go again. Would recommend.
I Do - Wedding Stories from Queensland | Queensland Museum
The main focus of the exhibition was to educate the viewer about weddings that had occurred here in Queensland over a certain time period. It was obvious that the wedding dresses were chosen from different periods taking into account the chronological arrangement of the various gowns that were on display. I was impressed with their immaculate condition as I strolled through the exhibition. I could not help but admire the intricate workmanship that had gone into creating the eye-catching designs. It did also leave me pondering on the skill that is required to conserve the quality and fragility of these pieces.
We The Aliens | Ela Bartilomo and Cecilia Martin
They’ve moved us into the round, which for the most part works, although pieces down the far end of the room require you to crane your head. They are using segues that don’t entirely make sense on the surface. Which is good. I get tired of having everything spelled out for me, and when something is ambiguous and creative and exploring edgy themes I want the opportunity to let my imagination run wild. I want to see if I can figure it out. It’s what make art fun and interesting.
We The Aliens | Ela Bartilomo and Cecilia Martin
As I was watching We the Aliens, I kept on think about who are the aliens and how do we relate to them. Etymologically, alien means foreign, strange. It is the ‘Other’ to which we cannot relate. And yet, we do have a relation with the alien, albeit in negative terms. The alien is that which we negate from ourselves, that we make foreign to us, and that we perceived as strange and threatening. The body of acrobats and contortionists is a good representation of this concept and also an entry point to reflect on it.
By Request | Jenny Wynter
Jenny and Angie Wynter made a great team. I assumed they had set rhythms of songs they were going to perform and then Jenny improvised the lyrics. Her talent as a professional singer shone through, unbelievable that she could sing so beautifully and be constructing lyrics at the same time. I fully expected to see smoke coming out of her ears, that’s how fast her brain appeared to be working.
From The Dew of Heaven | Isabella Catenaro
The rigidity of moral teachings can breed negative attachments in the form of repression or rebellion. Instead, Isabella challenges this rigidity with a creative spirit. They don’t negate it; they put it on the table and dissect it with kindness, generosity, and vulnerability. Isabella lays their authentic self on the Eucharistic altar and let people come close to their queerness to show the softness, gentleness, and humanity that can be in it.
Cosi | THAT Production Company & Mira Ball
The cast was sublime. There was not one actor that was better than the other. Maybe that sounds cliché but it’s the truth. They were a tight knit ensemble, which was exactly what a play like Cosi needs.
Arc | Australasian Dance Collective
Arc was the first show of ADC since November 2019, and it was a remarkable post-pandemic lockdown comeback. It took place in South Bank, in the grassy area set against river and the cityscape as background. It is not often that you can enjoy the inviting feelings evoked by the Mercurian feet of dancers moving on soft grass.
Snapshot | Polytoxic
Part installation, and part dramatic outdoor performance, Snapshot is most of an hour of lockdown reminiscing, dreaming, recovery, survival and bouncing back. Much of the projections were recorded when Polytoxic sent a call-out to artists to record a message and respond and tell us how they were doing.
1.5x12 | Phluxus2 Dance Collective
“I’ve found time to recalibrate my understanding of self in this shifting terrain. More than ever I feel the deep value of my choreographic self, my collaborators, my community and the significance of arts and culture of our country.” Nerida Matthaei on creating in the new normal.