MISC & Tough Titties review

08.02.22

MISC
by Dominique Purdue and Sophie Teo

Through carefully crafted humour and wit, Dominique Purdue performing as Bea and Sophie Teo portraying Jasmine gave outstanding opening night performances in MISC at Kings Cross Theatre as they navigate the intricacies of identity as half-Asian half-Caucasian actors within a competitive industry.

In this comedic drama Bea and Jasmine seem fated to become friends after they continuously meet at auditions having been put up for the same roles and bond over shared experiences as actors of ethnicity.

As an Australian ethnically Asian actor in the industry myself, it was truly empowering to see these fierce young women dominate the stage and expose topics regarding race, racism in casting and roles, and the competition between not only actors of similar ethnicities but of other races too. Topics that we know are there, topics that we know exist yet still seem to brush aside. MISC made us question how comments borne from ignorance and neglectful thinking can impact individuals who may too be still exploring their identity and their place in the world and do harm as someone is labelled “too Asian” or “not white enough”.

The realities of ethnic actors were prevalent in the script but not accusatory as the audience are not spectators, but are invited in by Purdue and Teo to become a part of the action and one with their characters, especially within the intimate space of KXT to share the highs and lows of successes and losses any actor faces in this competitive industry.

Not only was the show focused on the difficulties actors of colour encounter constantly but also shone a rather malign light on the industry itself in a call to do better and be better for actors of all ethnicities. It is a call to consider casting and role diversity within our growing multicultural society and not just include stereotyped roles to fill the diversity quota but share real stories about real individuals and what they experience – which is exactly what MISC does.

This is a show about two girls – two young Australian girls – and that’s what we see as an audience members. We see their race, we hear their comments regarding diversity and how they traverse the acting scene, but throughout Purdue’s and Teo’s performance we understand their plight and our role as theatregoers to be a part of and demand change to empower diverse actors’ place in the industry.

Apsara, 19 (She/Her)

Tough Titties
by Kristelle Zibara, Renae Valastro and Catherine McDonnell

Tough Titties is an iconic response by Ma Anand Sheela and a fabulous title of a hilarious and intense production at the KXT bAKEHOUSE, directed by Kristelle Zibara, who co-wrote the script with Renae Valastro and Catherine McDonnell.

A whirlwind of incredible costumes, sketches, stand-up, poetry, and way way more – what more could you want from theatre created for and by the Australian youth. Following the incredible performance of MISC would have been nerve-wracking to say the least, but boy did this cast deliver!

With a huge cast of eight performers, three comedians, and three storytellers, there was not a moment dull or lacking in hilarity. The common theme? Feminism. With such an intense topic that has been presented both well and pretty badly, this ensemble gave us what we had been craving for feminist theatre.

Stomachs were hurting, feet were stomping, as the non-stop performances brought hilarious commentary on the plethora of issues that feminine people experience. If you’ve ever experienced harassment, misogyny, condescension? Yes, this one is for you!

The absurdity of each sketch could not have been as humorous as they were if not for the uncomfortable and very real life they derive from. From walking down alleys, guarding your drinks in public spaces, those men at work, and the “triggering” topic of menstruation, Tough Titties has it all!

While almost every scenario presented to the audience racked up roaring laughs, the hard reality was made clear through the honest and intimate storytelling breaks. Each storyteller shared their own experiences as women and drove home the painful realities of what that means day-to-day.

With a cast of this size, it is impossible to do them all justice in a short review, however, I can say wholeheartedly that there was not a single Actor, Comedian, or Storyteller that did not shine. I can say without a doubt that Sydney has a gorgeous collective of young actors bursting into the scene and creating theatre that anyone can enjoy, or at least learn from.

Unfortunately, Tough Titties has completely sold out the season if you are looking to grab a ticket and enjoy a fantastic night. I would say stalking out the theatre for any spare seats it’s probably your only way to go! Otherwise, let’s all hope the cast and creatives of Tough Titties do Sydney a favour and return for another run.

Gia Cohen, 23 (She/Her)

Gaptooth Productions and Panimo’s Misc and Tough Titties played at Kings Cross Theatre from 7-9 February. Find more information on the productions here and here.