Get dashed and dirty, pretty and flirty, argumentative and assertive. Get ‘Fierce’!
Expert storytellers-slash-rap artistes, Dash and D’Bree (the ‘bitches of Fiercealot’) romp up a storm in their high-heel runners, hip-hugging leggings and pink feather headdresses whilst musing on the serious side of being female today.
Part of Melbourne Cabaret Festival’s treasure trove of show delights, this two hander is 60 minutes of pulsating pomp. ‘Fierce’ will energise and inspire you to put your passion where your lipstick is: front and centre. Via groovy, joint-popping rap rhymes, these sociologists extraordinaire cover everything from slut shaming and body loathing, to negative self-talk and female friendship. Telling truths about make up/breakups, the perform songs for every life situation a girl could find herself in.
‘Fierce’ is performed upstairs in a reworked Prahran warehouse, The Space Dance & Arts Centre, with a groovy pop up bar (staffed by handsome bartenders). Get your selfie with the giant chocolate-dipped strawberry atop the stairs and bop to the cool dj vibes pre-performance.
As with all clever wordsmiths, Dash and D’Bree’s slips of the tongue reflect the social patois of modern grrrls. Covering insecurity, ambition, friendship, and enthusiasm for horizontal dancing, these comedic goddesses know the turf and lay it on thick but funny. They dance, send up makeup and hair, body posturing and contemporary narcissism. Their ironic tongue-in-cheek posturing also shows up the serious He-Men and Prince Charmings of pop culture.
Little is left hidden. From the exposed flesh of their long legs, to buttock shaking and their black leather, studded, crotch-busting leotards, these chicks don’t hold back. There are a lot of feathers! See the best Adele impersonation (wig to die for) in town! Even drag queens in the audience were envious.
Acknowledging femalisms such as love of lip-gloss, hair-flicking, and waxes at Chadstone, these ladies are clearly from the ‘hood (Melbourne), but bring a world of know how and wisdom to their songs. They put forward their argument for fierce hair, fierce attitude, and fierce bodies. Bodies owned and worn by women who do not need to seek approval from without.
Come down for an electrifying sesh with some very clever ladies who have a thing or two to share with you about being Fierce!
– Sarah
Sarah W. is a dance-trained theatre lover with a flair for the bold, and non-traditional performance platforms. On-the-street or in the box seat, she is always looking for quality works that push the envelope!
Dash and D’Bree’s ‘Fierce’ runs 23-25 June at 10:15pm at The Space Dance & Arts Centre, Prahran. Book tickets now.
Read our guide to the best acts of the 2016 Melbourne Cabaret Festival.
Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of Purple Media.
Photo credit: Dash and D’Bree.
