The Shitshow Cabaret

The Shitshow is deceptively ‘shit’, for it is tightly curated and providing employment for performers at a time when performance opportunities are rare. During this particularly shitty time for the arts, all acts are remunerated and any profit from the show is also distributed to the performers.

Sophie Ambler is the visionary behind the initiative. Ambler is young but has gained significant experience in festival organisation on the mainland and at the Edinburgh Fringe.

There have been five Shitshows to date. Drag artist Pussày Poppins is the show host. Look past the wig and fake eyelashes and it is clear that Poppins knows how to read and manage a crowd and keep things moving along. Poppins’ humour is predictably crude but that is all. Nothing else gave offense.

For example, Ambler’s opening acknowledgement of country was entirely sincere and genuine, and vociferously applauded. At no time was the comedy racist, ageist, or derogatory to any community. The show managed to be hilarious and sometimes shocking without being entirely politically correct. The atmosphere was raucous and joyous. The audience was genuinely engaged.

The excited vibe of the crowd began with the queue on the street since The Shitshow only offers door sales. The patrons who had been before had high expectations of a fun night and the newcomers babbled in anxious anticipation.

The theme for September was ‘sport’. Runner Tim Harmsen circled the block with his Olympic torch and a Go Pro attached to his head. With each pass of the crowd, a cheer set up from the waiting patrons. Once inside the unique venue, it became apparent that Harmsen was being live-streamed to a screen. The audio with which the imagery was coupled consisted commentary on various scandals in sport. This was the first intimation that what might appear gimmicky or silly was thoughtfully provocative.

Since the show began in January, there have been many featured performers. The acts for September included skilful roller-skate dancer (Nadia), Acrobat (Ty Fitzsimons), Archer (Olympian in training, Sarah Haywood), Fencer (Geordie Branson), Freestyle footballer (Jay Hennicke) and members of the Southern Tasmanian Axemen's Association. One would be hard pressed to name a favourite.

Every act displayed the greatest proficiency, many recognised as the top exponent of their skill.  The wood chopping (safety glasses were distributed) was ‘just’ award winning woodchopping but the commentary by Alex Johnston whipped the crowd into a frenzy.

DJ Hugh Foley was a significant contributor to the atmosphere.

This reviewer must confess to being perplexed by some of what transpired during the evening but at almost three times the age of the average audience member that is to be expected. What was not expected was to have a thoroughly fun evening.

Ambler hopes to take The Shitshow to a Tasmanian Arts festival in 2022.  She has the experience and connections to make a great success of this initiative.

Anne Blythe-Cooper

For more about The Shitshow go to:

https://thehobartmagazine.com.au/welcome-to-the-shitshow/