Arts & Culture

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 03 February 2020

Just wondering - how many hours do you spend consuming porn on the Internet each day?

Not a question you would really want to ask someone, and if you did and they were candid about it, perhaps you would be shocked.

The Actors Hub takes a confronting look at porn and addiction in its latest production at Fringe Perth – “The Innocent Pawn”. Being advertised as part entertainment and part education, I wasn’t sure what I was in for.

The actors kicked off the night’s proceedings with how this all got started, and how we have always had pornography in some shape and form throughout time immemorial - after all the human interest in sex does date back quite a bit!

Although in no phase of history has porn been as pervasive and easily accessible as our current times. There is a whole generation of young adults whose over consumption of technology and constant dopamine hits has reached the stage of de-sensitisation.

Details: Written by: Lee-Ann Khoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 26 January 2020

They say you never forget your first love.

And as we see in the Australian premiere of Post-Mortem, this is certainly the case for former lovers Alex (played by Iskandar Sharazuddin, who also wrote the play) and Nancy (Essie Barrow).

The two of them first cross paths as 17-year-olds while dissecting a pig’s heart in biology class, and soon find themselves in a relationship they believe will last forever. Years later, they meet again at their friends’ wedding and try to dissect where it all went wrong.

Over the course of an hour, Post-Mortem explores young love through Alex and Nancy’s relationship, jumping backwards and forwards between the past and the present.

Details: Written by: Greg Letts; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 24 January 2020

In these times of gender fluidity, pan-sexuality and the LGBT+ alphabet, you could be forgiven for feeling a bit confused about it all. What's the correct pronoun? Which toilets do trans people use? Do they still have their original naughty bits?

Never fear, Krishna Istha (25) – self confessed fence sitter and testosterone taking transgender bisexual – is here at The Blue Room for Fringe World 2020 to answer all your questions. Well, actually Krishna isn't here to do that, but they won't answer them in such a way that you'll learn a thing or two and have a laugh at the same time.

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 23 January 2020

As I stepped into The Blue Room Theatre for their latest performance, the nearby Perth Cultural Centre was abuzz with people partaking in Fringe Perth activities.

With the title “Maureen: Harbinger of Death”, I was curious about what might be in store, with the promo materials describing the play as one that explores the themes of friendships – in particular with older women, inter-generational relationships, ageing, and death - told through a queer lens.

The audience is transported to an apartment in Kings Cross – it is a simple set with solo performer Jonny Hawkins (a WAPAA graduate) at the fore. One minute he is briefly introducing us to the character of Maureen and the next he is Maureen sitting in the lounge room of her apartment. A quick change into a dress and earrings and we are off and running.

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 21 January 2020

There was a fresh summer breeze in operation at The Woodside Pleasure Garden as we waited in line and watched the ebb and flow of Perth Fringe Festival goers passing by.

The queue of people quickly built up as we patiently waited to enter the Spiegeltent to watch Me & My Divas.

They tell you to enter the Lotterywest De Parel Spiegeltent to leave your troubles behind and that is exactly what we did.

Clutching her Diva Bible, Velma Celli - "The UK's Queen of Live Vocal Drag", started off her evening performance with a bang, showcasing some well known diva tracks, accompanied by her music director Joe Louis Robinson.

Details: Written by: Greg Letts; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 07 January 2020

La Belle Époque is the sort of film that only the French could pull off – a heady mix of modern times and nostalgia – sexy, smart and utterly charming.

After viewing the trailer, I was mildy interested in coming to watch the movie. The premise wasn't fully clear, but seeing as I usually find anything with Daniel Auteuil quite enjoyable, I was willing to give it a go.

After settling in at the Somerville among the pines and with our premium on-site pizza from Charlies (two thumbs up for the field mushroom one), we put on the mozzie repellent (a must!) and waited for the trailers to end.

When La Belle Époque finally began, the opening scene gave me a brief moment of panic before everything came together and the magic began.

Attempting to summarise the plot of La Belle Époque risks ruining the experience for others, so I'll simply say that this a wonderfully entertaining and enjoyable film, showing that even when people change (or when they don't!), love still remains eternal. But love is not always simple or easy!

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 11 December 2019

Director and writer Céline Sciamma’s latest romantic movie Portrait of a Lady on Fire revolves around the story of artist Marianne (Noémie Merlant), who is commissioned by the mother of a bride to be to paint a secret portrait of her daughter Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), to give to her future husband.

As the painting progresses, Marianne and Héloïse become better acquainted and form a strong emotional and sensual bond.

Set in the 1770’s in France, Portrait of a Lady on Fire brings to the fore some interesting issues that women had to face during those times – lack of recognition for their chosen vocations (Marianne as an artist), restricted social freedom, repressive public morals and more.

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The Innocent Pawn by Actors Hub at Fringe Perth

Post-Mortem at Fringe Perth

Krishna Istha: Beast at Fringe Perth

Maureen: Harbinger of Death at Fringe Perth

Me and My Divas at Fringe Perth

La Belle Époque at Perth Festival

Portrait of a Lady on Fire at Perth Festival