Same Penis Forever

Same Penis Forever
By Rebel Lyons. Adelaide Fringe Festival 2022. The Lark at Gluttony – Rymill Park Adelaide February 18 – March 6, 2022

Same Penis Forever is Rebel Lyons’ crusade to save unsuspecting brides-to-be from a life of married mediocrity!

Upon entering ‘The Lark’, we are confronted by a bride lying seemingly unconscious with her leg manacled to a ball and chain. From the bride’s ‘awakening’ we are rocketed through a series of songs and sketches interspersed with video clips (to enable costume changes) highlighting the influence of bridal culture in the modern-day patriarchal society.

Written and performed by Lyons, it is a tour de force for a solo performer. Lyons not only performs live; she is also the star of the video clips. With an acerbic wit and a killer singing voice she sets a frenetic pace culminating in a frank declaration.

There is a lot to commend in this production; the half-man, half-woman dating scene on the couch, ‘Bridal Bootcamp’ (for fugly losers), the overprotective mother-in-law complete with a suitably appropriate lavender two-piece outfit, cooking classes and a memorable rewrite of ‘Stand by Your Man’.

The highlights of the night are undoubtably the hen’s party scene - with a party trick that has to be seen to be believed, the audience participation quiz show ‘Who’s the Biggest Slut?’ and Lyons’ version of ‘The Twelve Days of Xmas’ that concludes the show.

That being said, behind all the comedy is a real message of strength, resilience and being true to oneself no matter what!

I did miss some of the dialogue due to an imbalance of miking, especially when competing with nearby shows.

Same Penis Forever is definitely not for the whole family, but then it was not meant to be. It is an hour of riotous song and stand-up that overlays an important message for anyone contemplating marriage!

Barry Hill

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