Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas!

Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Cremorne Theatre has transformed into a drag fairytale for Shake & Stir’s latest production, Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas! Produced in association with CPL – Choice, Passion, Life and presented as part of the Brisbane Festival, this show is a unique journey that resonates with audience members from all walks of life and all abilities.

Written by Nelle Lee, the play is based on the relationship the writer shares with her own disabled sister, Tae Tae. Through COVID-19, the sisters rediscovered their childhood bond and their experiences formed the inspiration for Lee to write this show.

When Tae Tae struggles with another hospital stay, her sister wishes out loud for their own fairytale; where no one says no, and KFC chips always come with extra chicken salt! Then ‘poof’, the pair are transported to a magical land and assigned their own (unconventional) fairy godmother.

Set design by Josh McIntosh was incredible. The use of giant rectangles that lit up in a mirage of colours and contained hidden doors and windows was effectually able to transport the audience between the sterile starkness of the hospital room and the exuberance of fairytale land in the blink of an eye. Lighting and audio design by Trent Suidgeest and Guy Webster was clever and dynamic, and the operation by Simon Hardy and Caitlyn Kidney was flawless.  A highlight of watching drag queens is the costumes, and those by Angela White did not disappoint. Sequins, ruffles and wigs aplenty adorned and enhanced the magical fairy godmother.

Director Ross Balbuziente struck the perfect balance between the appropriate gravitas and respect for the subject matter and over-the-top pizzazz that accompanied Maxi Shield wherever she went. This allowed the audience to experience a range of emotions, be taken on a journey and most importantly leave uplifted and optimistic. Balbuziente’s use of the stage and set pieces was very intelligent and the scene changes were tight and effective.

Maya Dove played Tae Tae with energy. As a proud disabled woman, Dove embraced the challenging role and brought an earnestness and rawness to her performance. Writer Nelle Lee played Tae Tae’s younger sister. Her passion and energy was palpable and she served as the main impetus for the plotline. Lee and Dove’s relationship was believable and they shared a natural chemistry.

Maxi Shield was extra as Queenie. Giving bold, fierce energy and lip-syncing her way through the show, Shield brought much needed levity and comic relief. However, Shield also invited some of the most poignant and transformative moments of the play and delivered these moments with tenderness and heart. Johnny Balbuziente and Helen Cassiday played a variety of important people throughout the show. Both encompassed each role with conviction. Cassidy’s portrayal as Tae Tae’s mother was especially raw, as was Balbuziente’s portrayal of Tae Tae’s potential abusive husband.

Overall, Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas! was a mix of brutal realism and over-the-top fantasy. It is a show that is equal parts entertaining, poignant and heartfelt and delivers profoundly deep messages, interspersed with drag performances that slayed. A mix of Kath and Kim and The Matrix, this is certainly a unique play that deserves to be seen by as many audience members as possible.

Yasmin Elahi