Dirty Energy pushes through the outer elegant image of restaurants to interrogate the underbelly of toxicity within the hospitality industry, and serves it up on a platter to its engaged audience, highlighting the realities of often overworked and underpaid hospitality workers in modern Australia. The show focuses on the front of house (FOH) workers Basti, Avi and Clay, in a busy modern Adelaide restaurant, along with side characters including comedically rude and groan-inducing entitled customers and a but also predatory Chef. The show opens with an introductory monologue by protagonist Basti, who mentions that preparing for work is like getting ready for a fight, and the reality of this for those in hospitality, and customer service workers in general is real – sometimes getting ready for a shift is putting on your battle makeup. This is paired with the outsider take that hospitality workers are burdened with; that they don’t work a ‘real’ job, or have ‘real’ career prospects. This is part of a constant under-appreciation from society of those who work in the sector – unless of course, you’re a celebrity chef with too much power, and this is also an important element that’s addressed. Another key point that’s importantly highlighted is the importance of international workers who make up much of the current hard-working hospitality sector, and the racism that they can experience, not just from acerbic entitled customers, but also from their very own co-workers. The entire cast are great in their roles, drawing the audience into these highly realistic scenes within the restaurant, with Katherine Sortini (who is also the show’s playwright) performing powerfully punchy monologues and sassy ensemble interactions. Another highlight is definitely actor Connor Pullinger, who plays the green (new and inexperienced) front of house worker Clay, bringing plenty of comedic relief to the show. It’s fascinating to watch his transition from sweet innocence and youthful naivety to the utilisation of unhealthy coping mechanisms found in the industry. A simple set of two prepared tables and a pass (kitchen service area) with awaiting dockets, cutlery and herbs, help to set the scene, while still being benign enough to allow the actors and their interactions to dominate the stage. All the talk of delicious dishes, like dumplings and pastas, does create some audience salivation, so perhaps in the future there may be space to collaborate the two elements into an immersive ‘dinner and a show’ experience within a working restaurant. This play is a great example of what local theatre company Deus Ex Femina is all about, demonstrating their goal to passionately tell the stories of people whose voices are under-represented and misunderstood. Dirty Energy‘s realistically heartbreaking ending leaves the audience considering how in line their morals are with their actions, and examining what they would do (or what they think they might do) in a similar situation. An incredibly enjoyable and engaging hour of blended comedy and tragedy, Dirty Energy creates an entertainingly educational experience about the hospitality industry, as the audience gets a peek into not only its fun and glamour, but also its dark and toxic underbelly.