Skip to main content

‘PASHUN’ // TheatrePunk Co.

 What happens when masculine, feminine, and a touch of envy energy are amplified in modern society? You get ‘PASHUN’ by TheatrePunk Co.!

‘PASHUN’ is a comedic theatrical exploration of gender and relationships, infused with fantastic absurdist techniques. Written by Harrison Mills, it offers a unique night out that delves into the intersection of queer identity and the “straight minority.”

Harrison Mills has skilfully interwoven absurdist techniques into the fabric of queer and heterosexual love, resulting in a profoundly thought-provoking experience. Throughout ‘PASHUN’, they masterfully employ stereotypes, drawing our attention to their nuances. From the hyper-masculine, reminiscent of an Andrew Tate figure, Sigma, to the unmistakable Starbucks-loving pink aficionado, Tiff, Mills has ingeniously crafted characters that evoke both love and disdain throughout the production.

Under the direction of Joshua Price, the piece is minimalist but effective. The utilisation of packing boxes as the set creates the fringe atmosphere, essential for the play’s essence. The blocking is natural and realistic, allowing the actors to fully inhabit their characters, a testament to Price’s directorial prowess. However, a minor issue arose when rubbish used in one scene remained strewn across the stage for the entirety of the production, potentially symbolising “university life” but inadvertently distracting both the audience and the actors.

Phoebe Quinn’s lighting design is aesthetically pleasing, and their ability to work within the constraints of BackDock Arts’ basic lighting setup is commendable. they orchestrate beautiful moments that enhance the emotional impact of the scenes. Special mention goes to a scene where Conner uses a laptop to illuminate their face, creating a highly poetic and effective visual.

Keegan Bell, as Conner, delivers a multifaceted performance, seamlessly transitioning from the heartache of a breakup to the pinnacle of romance that Conner aspires to. Rachael Woodnett, as Lena, complements Bell impeccably. Lena, the edgy character of the group, reveals their reserved nature until it’s time to shine and get involved in other people’s affairs. Together, Bell and Woodnett craft an intertwined and poetic love story that unfolds minute by minute.

The trio of “Girls, Gays, and Theys,” Naticia Slade as Emma, Zara Chandler as Tiff, and Cullyn Beckton as Kai, provide fantastic comedic relief throughout the production. With sleepovers, exuberant dance lifts (think ‘I’ve had the time of my life’), and all-around craziness, Slade, Chandler, and Beckton showcase their remarkable talents, bringing to life a captivating array of characters with their ups and downs.

Emma Stratton, in the role of Sigma, emerges as the standout of the production. Stratton masterfully portrays Sigma, a character who draws the audience’s anger while maintaining an irresistible allure. The toxic masculinity oozes from Sigma throughout the entire production, culminating in their ultimate demise. Scott Kift, as Andrew, Sigma’s roommate, struggling university student and high school tutor, delivers a compelling performance. Kift skilfully conveys Andrew’s mounting frustration with Sigma, leading to a cathartic release and Sigma’s ultimate demise.

Lastly, Ewan Robertson’s versatility was showcased as they take on multiple characters throughout the production, most notably as Rory. Robertson’s ability to seamlessly transition between characters is a testament to their exceptional acting skills.

‘PASHUN’ offers a rare and delightful night of absurdist theatre. Harrison Mills has crafted a remarkable piece of theatre, and his potential as a world-class playwright is evident. Keep an eye out for TheatrePunk Co. and their upcoming works, which continue to push boundaries and challenge traditional theatre norms.

Original Article

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Article: 37 // Queensland Theatre

Queensland Theatre's newest productions is stunning audiences with its powerhouse story full of all things footy, bringing community spirit, thrilling energy and intense physicality to the stage in 37, playing at the Bille Brown Theatre until 4 May. Penned by twice-named Tasmanian Aboriginal Artist of the Year, Nathan Maynard, and directed by renowned Australian director and proud Noongar man, Isaac Drandic, the co-production with Melbourne Theatre Company brings together an ensemble of 10 men to portray a local footy team’s struggle from the bottom of the ladder. Named after the immortalised number Adam Goodes wore on his AFL jersey and set within the era of his famous war-cry, 37 follows the fictional Cutting Cove Currawongs in their fight for premiership glory, which playwright Nathan Maynard described as a story many can relate to. “I won’t go into the themes I touch on in the work because that’s why I wrote the play, for both the audience and I t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Scenes From a Yellow Perril - The Reaction Theory & Queensland Theatre Door 3

Written by Grace Wilson The best kind of theatre is theatre that makes people question, reflect and consider how uncomfortable questions encourage people to act and change. There are not many theatre pieces out there that can make an audience consider whether to laugh or cringe, smile or grimace. However, The Reaction Theory’s ‘Scenes From a Yellow Peril’, as a part of Queensland Theatre’s Door 3 program, masterfully manipulates the uncomfortable with the comedic, the angry with the heartfelt, and asks the audience if uncomfortable questions are worth the discoveries that come with them. ‘Scenes From A Yellow Peril’ by Chinese-New Zealand writer and poet, Nathan Joe, can truly be described as poetry on stage, a turbulent experience of communication and heightened emotions. The audience is exposed to complexities and challenges of BIPOC communities across the world in a way that does not fit the traditional theatre mould. There is no way to predict what Joe writes next; each scene chops...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: The Norman Mailer Anecdote - Queensland Theatre (Door 3)

Written by Grace Wilson The Norman Mailer Anecdote, produced by Big Scary Animal kicked off Queensland Theatre’s Door 3 program with hard-hitting questions, complex narratives, and well-rounded performances. The Door 3 program, new to Queensland Theatre in 2024, gives space for emerging artists to create and perform pitched work with support and space contributed by Queensland Theatre. For a premiere program of this size, it was a waiting game to see how high the bar would be set, and Big Scary Animal set the precedent for Door 3 works to come.  The Norman Mailer Anecdote by Anthony Mullins explores ideas of sexual assault and the relationships that come apart in times of crisis. The work itself was confronting - it tackled these ideas through a lens of upper middle-class Australia, specifically Brisbane, and used both the lens of legal terminology and creative writing to create a wide scope when approaching the program.  The cast itself was intimate and connected - standout p...
Post a Comment
Read more