From the second Birds takes flight, it’s clear this isn’t your typical beach getaway. With sharp wit, absurd scenarios, and a darkly playful edge, the show sets up a world that’s equal parts hilarious and unsettling. It's perfectly primed for Alex Hines and Sarah Stafford to deliver performances brimming with nihilistic humour and outrageous awareness.
The pair may be portraying ladies who’ve traded lunch for a beachside drink, yet they’re still very much in their (questionable) designer kaftans and planning their own brunches. Hines plays Shayna, a wealthy five-time divorcee who has lost her entire family to a blimp accident, but couldn’t care less. Stafford’s Beverley, on the other hand, is a mother of twelve boys who has escaped to the beach in frustration after her husband ruined her birthday. This unlikely friendship sees the ladies supporting one another through some of the toughest periods of their lives, from running out of sunscreen to guessing what the secret sound is on Smyle and Smacki-O’s radio program.
These are characters that Hines and Stafford clearly relish, poking fun at the rich and the ignorant. Their surroundings are slowly crumbling, but as long as they have their smokes, drinks, and prescription drugs, they display little comprehension of what is happening. Their previous works have been loud and over-the-top, and while this production remains firmly in that realm, the pair has chosen the end of the world as a backdrop to these two women’s lives, which makes the contrast all the more effective. It sneaks in subtly. It’s not discussed directly, but its effects are visible. Just like in reality, we know climate change is happening, and the damage it is causing, yet too few - especially those with power and money - seem prepared for what that actually means.
While they have collaborated on plenty of works before, this is the first time Hines and Stafford are appearing on stage together. They reveal remarkable restraint and care for these women and this story, wisely avoiding the temptation to indulge in mischievous interactions more than they should. The apocalyptic events even delve into some creative body horror sequences that while disturbing to watch, you can’t tear your eyes away from their immersive portrayals.
Birds is clever, audacious, and surprisingly insightful. Hines and Stafford navigate their sun-soaked, unravelling world with fearless commitment, making us laugh, squirm, and marvel at their performances. It’s a show that commands attention, weaving layered savagery, chaos, and jolts of shock and delight into every scene.
Read our interview with Alex and Sarah here.
SHOW DETAILS
Venue: Meat Market, 36-54 Courtney St, North Melbourne
Season: until 18 October | Tues - Sat 8.30pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $38 Full | $32 Conc
| $28.50 Wednesday Hump Day
Bookings: Melbourne Fringe Festival
Image credit: Skye Sobejko
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