Batsh*t by Leah Shelton | 5 - 15 October 2022
“She’s off her trolley. Nuttier than a fruitcake. A couple of kangaroos loose in the top paddock”.
Presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival
Women have long been locked up, medicated, pathologized and silenced by a simple label - ‘crazy’.
BATSH*T is a wildly theatrical, unexpectedly funny, and deeply intimate story of female madness. A requiem for Leah’s grandmother Gwen, BATSH*T draws on personal stories to explore the myths, fantasies and fears that keep us compliant, and the systems that let us down.
Created by the killer creative team behind B*TCH ON HEAT and TERROR AUSTRALIS, this is the third solo work by psycho siren Leah Shelton, directed by Olivier award-winning performance artist Ursula Martinez (UK).
Strapped in, belted up and dressed to kill, psycho siren Leah Shelton returns to the stage with a horror show of pop psychology, guttural physicality, and Prozac-laden humour.
“doesn’t waste a single moment - a transfixing combination of fierce intellect, intense presence and bold physical comedy” ★★★★½ (The Age)
Suitable for ages 14+.
Warnings: This work references mental illness and institutionalised medical treatment. It also contains occasional coarse language, sexual references, haze/smoke effects, loud sounds, bright lighting flashes and strobe lighting effects.
Approximate running time: 50 mins
Auslan interpreted performances will occur on Thursday 13 October.
Please note: due to unforeseen circumstances, the Saturday 15 October 2pm performance has been cancelled. All ticket buyers will soon be contacted by our box office staff. Please book for the Sat 15 October 8pm performance instead.
REVIEWS
“It’s moving and thought-provoking visual theatre that’s also terrific fun.” – The Age ★★★★★
“Dazzlingly electric” – Theatre Matters ★★★★1/2
“Loved this show a lot. A lot. This is why we make art.” – Sometimes Melbourne
“The sound design by Kenneth Lyons is a haunting and eerie soundscape that moves between white noise and piercing ear shattering effects.” – My Melbourne Arts
Creative Team
Creator / Performer: Leah Shelton
Director: Ursula Martinez
Story Consultant: Christine Shelton
Sound Design: Kenneth Lyons
Lighting Design: Jason Glenwright
Costume Design: Leah Shelton
Set & Costume Design: Leah Shelton
Video: Grace Uther (video content) & Freddy Komp (live feed, projection, systems design)
Set & Lighting Construction: Freddy Komp & Stephen Rowan
Scenic Arting: Shaun Caufield
Production & Stage Manager: Freddy Komp
Conceptual Collaborator: Lisa Fa'alafi & Daniel Evans
Dramaturgical Consultant: Saffron Benner
Choreographic Consultant: Kate Harman
Pre-recorded Vocals by Naomi Price & Hugh Parkers
Voiceovers by Christine Shelton & Leah Shelton
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jane Shelton, Naomi Price, Nathan Sibthorpe, Tanya Martin, Chloe Greaves, Ghenoa Gela, Alinta McGrady, Jay Roberts, Helen Clifford, Celia White, Stephen Bradford, Troy Gilliland, Daniel Joseph, Ellie Ngoh, Carley Carran, Jade Wightman, Sam Butterworth; and the brilliant teams at Brisbane Festival and Metro Arts.
Image by Joel Devereux