MELBOURNE - BLAQUE SHOWGIRLS
BLAQUE SHOWGIRLS, Merlin Theatre at Malthouse Melbourne, 11 November–4 December 2016. Photography by Pia Johnson - above: Elaine Crombie and Guy Simon; below: Bessie Holland and Emi Canavan
Satire as we all know can be hit and miss; Blaque Showgirls written by the unashamed “rule breaker” Nakkiah Lui, was certainly more hit than miss going by the audience reaction on opening night. Gasps, titters and out loud laughter greeted the performers.
Set in the small town of Chitole, Ginny Jones (Bessie Holland) a white skinned woman who believes she is black is determined to be a dancer in the not so politically appropriate Blaque Showgirls Troupe in Brizvegas, following in her mother’s footsteps, or so she believes. She seeks advice from Aunty, played to perfection by Elaine Crombie, on whether she should follow her dream. (Crombie also played – with a twinkle – the disgruntled “older” lead dancer of the troupe.)
The thing about black stories told by black people is that they can be as inappropriate and irreverent as they like, and this is. It allows the audience to see how stupid we can be when it comes to race and identity.
As Nakkiah Lui put it, she wanted a play that was entirely disingenuous. The idea of what is an authentic Aboriginal and what’s not, what is authentic culture and what’s not, authenticity becoming a tool to police Aboriginal identity.
The play, ably directed by Sarah Giles, explores stereotypical inverted racism – a Japanese woman constantly mistaken for Chinese played with verve by Emi Canavan who befriends Ginny Jones as they both search for their dreams but who ultimately gets unceremoniously dumped. Ginny misguidedly believing her dream takes precedent – over everything.
The Blaque Showgirls troupe perform in a sleazy nightclub sponsored by a white chicken company, where bare breasted emu dancing is the order of the day, which is problematic for Ginny whose nipples are of a pinker hue. The talented Guy Simon plays two roles: Ginny’s “love interest” and the promoter of the showgirls troupe, Kyle McLachlan; at one stage playing them both at once, not an easy feat but he got the laughs.
Bessie Holland as the young Ginny Jones searching for her identity is deft at comedic timing. At times her voice is slightly monotone but this was forgiven as she wove her magic and drew you in. There is an issue with mics and it is that when actors have to scream it can be discordant for the audience. A small issue which will no doubt be ironed out through the run of the play.
The lighting design from Paul Jackson assisted the minimalist set by designer Eugyeene Teh, who also created some very eye-catching costumes; which is how I know the colour of Ginny Jones nipples! Composition and sound design by Jed Palmer.
Blaque Showgirls is great ensemble piece that makes you laugh, makes you think and makes you leave the theatre wanting to talk about it. That for me is a good night out.
