Melanie Jame Wolf was a stripper in a
gentlemen's club for eight years. Mira Fuchs was the name of her persona while
working there, and is also the name of this work, the first in a trilogy of
pieces where Wolf examines how the manifestation of being a ‘woman’ changes
according to different systems or economies of affect. Performed to an intimate
audience in the round, Wolf shares her experiences while exploring issues
related to women and stripping, such as gender, sexuality, desire and the
stigma that comes attached to this line of work.At times it is unclear who is performing; Wolf or Fuchs? Perhaps after being together for eight years, the answer is not so clear cut. At one point, she dons a white lab coat and a pair of glasses and in the blink of an eye, she is now a scientist who shares her findings on the ecology of a strip club. Through some well-constructed diagrams, Wolf explores the science of what type of male pack she approaches and when, to maximise her financial gain. While humourous, it's a reminder that while she is in a seemingly authoritative position, the power still rests with the pack.