Mira Fuchs review | Arts House

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.

Suburbia review - Melbourne Fringe

Most people dream of having their own little slice of a suburban dream; a loving family, a dog and a place to call home. What could be better than that? However, if you look under the surface, you'll find that things are not always what they seem. Playing as part of the 2015 Melbourne Fringe Festival, Suburbia offers a glimpse into the lives we know little about.

 

My fellow two passengers and I meet at the steps of the North Melbourne Town Hall and are led to a parked car and the driver takes us through the streets of North Melbourne stopping intermittently at various locations where we get to witness our neighbourhood in a very different light. We don't stay at any location more than a couple of minutes and there is barely any dialogue exchanged. The soundtrack composition by Simone Gustafsson that plays in the car is perfectly suited to the theme of the night, provoking feelings of uncertainty and curiosity.