The venue can barely contain the sass of the libidinous multi-talented Hairy Godmothers cast. This is a cunning subversion of Disney’s historically questionable myth-making and sanitised protagonists. Mining deep from classic canon, audiences are dazzled by glitter through Peter Pan-high peaks of pink curls, orgasmic delights and soaring vocals.
Opening with a lyrically thoughtful Acknowledgement of Country, the tone is then quickly set for the onslaught of revelry grounded in familiar storytelling in dire need of evolution. The opening number is a lively introduction to the talented cast. The show follows a protagonist seeking a fairytale ending. They are joined by an iconic Hairy/Fairy Godmother with a seemingly endless treasure trove of quips and beverages. Ariel’s wish to add to her collection of gadgets and gizmos might entice new converts towards kink, while Jasmin’s tour of a whole new world might soothe concerns about digitised dating. Compelling feminist calls for non-toxic masculinity intertwine with revised melodies championing a world free of restrictive binaries and stigmas.
Updating classics, songs and dialogue incorporate timely messages and nods to dating and comedic cabaret during a pandemic. State Daddy would be proud of their artful public health customisations. There are puns, but not so many that it upsets the flow (yes, this is a clue). Although the cast features a range of vocal capacity to belt out ingenious lyrics, they each embody charming characters such as Princesses with unsuppressed hobbies and interests.
The Hairy Godmothers have crafted an irreverent and witty narrative that is fabulously inclusive, inviting audience members who are open (to participating). Unexpectedly, an insistently hilarious “F*** off” follows the show, telling its latest harem of adoring fans to vacate the venue, showing the cast and crew’s consideration for the tight fun-packed FRINGE WORLD schedule.
Dabbled with flirtatious appeal and sprinkled with saucy jibes at patriarchal society, Drag Kings, Drag Queens, a cheeky hairy/fairy guide, and wide-ranging ideas of love, it is a romp that defies the boundaries of genre, heteronormativity, and happy endings.