Bi-sexual Intellectuals

Adelaide Fringe: World premiere

The Kingfisher: Gluttony

Season: Fri 16 Feb – Sun 25 Feb

Millicent Saare is an ‘old hand’ at Fringe shows and once again, turns her hand to a new 60-minute show by partnering with Jemma Allen, and Rosie Russell to present Fringe Foundation supported Bi-sexual Intellectuals. A word of caution: it is a 15+ rated show for a reason as the themes and language are very much for an over fifteen, and possibly under 60 audience. It is also a show for those who are proudly feminist and feminist supporters.

Using a pre-recorded track, the show opens with a clever parody of the traditional 1930’s style cabaret style performances where chairs are used as the sexy performance partners. In this show, tongue in cheek (pun intended) the gyrations are about our three performers having derriere (OK sore b*ms) discomfort, so from the outset, there is ruthless send up.

The show features a wealth of musical styles, including Euro-trash techno and when the three performers harmonise, particularly with acapella, their voices are true and rich. The Irish style ballad was a joy! The choreography and dance routines, on a somewhat limiting stage, are beautifully choreographed, clever and well done, in fact, there is never a moment when the stage is not full of action and movement.

As with all clever Fringe interactive shows, an unwitting audience member is selected to wear an outrageous flashing hat that alerts all to ‘inappropriate/risqué’ comments. The lucky participant obviously loved being selected and enthusiastically contributed to the show.

The show focusses on the fact that bi-sexuality is treated as an anomaly, but as history shows us, is as common as day following night. Media is not seen as the friend of this strand of the sexually or gender diverse (LGBTIQA+) groups of people and the show explores both what it means to be bisexual, and the myths and stereotypes that need to be challenged to ensure that all people are treated respectfully.

The show received a standing ovation from a largely under 40 audience, and that for sheer energy was ‘spot on’. Having said that, I am very pleased to see performers challenging these stereotypes in a way that reaches younger audiences. My theatre companion reminded me that bi-sexuality is not a new invention, and so for those of us who have been around for some time, it may resonate, but not be new news. Despite feeling less connected to some of the themes, and not enjoying all of the language use, I was beguiled by the energy and courage of this show. I think that the link between bi-sexual and intellectual in this show is somewhat tenuous, however, on reflection, curating many issues into a slick and rollicking one-hour show is no mean feat for these three-zany show-makers.