Leg Business, currently playing at The Blue Room Theatre, is an absurd cabaret delving into bodies in spaces with the purpose to be seen and how that plays out in a patriarchal society. Balancing the desire for empowerment against the objectification faced by women and queer bodies in this space, Leg Business, balances the tightrope of intense comedic effect and brutal intensity of emotion.
The show unfolds as a series of vignettes, each more unhinged and brilliant than the last, interrogating how women and queer bodies move through spaces that jump between oppressive and liberating. The show is MC’d by Lucy Wong who is a born raconteur, she is an impressive improviser and energy inducing host, working perfectly in tying together all of the insane moments of the show.
Leg Business. Photography by Phoebe Eames.
Naoko Uemoto plays live sax in the corner of this smokey club, brilliantly bringing out the sexy, the intense, and the sensorally explosive moments with perfect timing. Even the custodian gets their tear jerking empowerment, played by Eliza Smith, they physically embody this awkward side character who revels in the splendour of empowerment and gives us a taste of how we can try and reclaim our bodies in this space.
Delaney Burke as lead creative and performer has crafted an indulgent experience for the audience, giving us moments to laugh, cringe, cry, and cheer. These moments while seemingly so disconnected are so intertwined in this gorgeous story being unravelled before us.
Leg Business. Photography by Phoebe Eames.
There aren’t many shows that I walk away from that I enjoy and think I really need to see again, but this one sure is, Lucy’s improv, the physical performances, and the details of everything on stage gives such an indulging experience. I was treated to a guest performance in the show by Danisa the Serpent with four other performers coming in across the three week showing, this alone makes me want to come back for more.
I strongly encourage any audience to arrive a bit early claim some of the seating in the cabaret set up and take in some of the detailed and eye catching set designed by William Gammel in collaboration with Luci Young and the Y1 Knit Club.
Leg Business is on at The Blue Room Theatre from 16 Sept-4 Oct.