Review: Immersive Theatre Takes A Pleasantly Surprising Turn Into The Ladies Lavatories in CHAMBER POT OPERA

Tuesday 1st November 2016, 7pm, Ladies Lavatories, Level 2 Queen Victoria Building Sydney

New immersive work from Bontom Entertainment, Jetpack Theatre and Director Clemence Williams turns the tables on how Opera is viewed. Drawing on the camaraderie and solace found in the Ladies Lavatories, three strangers with vastly different back stories come together in a sisterhood with some beautiful music.

Of the public lavatories in Queen Victoria Building, the level 2 ladies toilets at the northern end of the building definitely lend themselves to turning into a meeting place, whether planned or unexpected. Renovated in the past few years, this space is home to contemporary facilities and an opulent large circular upholstered seat popular in well appointed powder rooms. The 30 or so audience members line the walls on the seats or standing whilst the story unfolds.

The premise of the 45 minute work is that three women eventually come to meet while seeking solitude in the safety of the toilets. Woman One (Sally Alrich-Smythe) is escaping a violent relationship and feeling worthless, Woman Two (Britt Lewis) is feeling the excitement and anxiety of a new relationship, and Woman Three (Jessica Westcott) is celebrating a promotion at work. Each tells their story through operatic song with surtitles projected onto the wall above the wash basins before coming together to provide each other support and encouragement.

Williams has bought together a wonderful trio of women who give new meaning to recognisable operatic works that capture the character's inner turmoil, hope, despair, excitement, fear and energy. The trio of wonderful voices that capitalise on the unfettered acoustics of a lavatory are more than ably accompanied by Music Director Keiren Brandt-Sawdy on electronic keyboard in the corner of the intimate space.

Each actress has a wonderful physicality as they continue with a rich pure vocal whilst in tears, applying makeup or obsessively checking her phone. Williams has utilised the features of the room, making use of the vanities over the sinks to emphasise facial expressions and self examination, including the three lavatory stalls as places to retreat and drawing the women together on the central seat.

CHAMBER POT OPERA makes opera accessible, celebrates the power women can have when they choose to support each other and forces audiences to rethink their opinions of performance spaces. Three amazing young voices at the start of their careers come together for a roller coaster of emotions in an ultimately feel good story. CHAMBER POT OPERA is well worth suspending any apprehensions you may have about hanging out in the Ladies lavatories for 45 minutes.

Photo credit: Christopher Starnawski