by Ashley McClare

Where? Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St (at Adelaide)

When? Show runs until May 18th (SO HURRY!)

How do I get tix? Through the Box Office (416) 504 9971 or online https://secure1.tixhub.com/factory/procurement/

Cast/Crew Fun Facts: The production is a compliation piece put together by four Japanese-Canadians: it is written by Maiko Bae Yamamoto, James Long, Manami Hara and Hiro Kanagawa and directed by Maiko Bae Yamamoto and James Long.

In a nutshell:  Stories involving characters such as a school girl getting groped by a buisness man on a crowded train, the dynamic between two sex and intimacy deprived workers of a sex toy company (one of whom is obsessed with Japan-born baseball star Ichiro Suzuki) and excessively giddy, short skirt-clad company representatives who grill audience members, are interwoven to amuse and raise questions about sex, culture, lonliness and gender.

This play definitely challenges your view of stereotypes; from sexual ones to the standard model of what “multicultural theatre” is.

You’ll like this performance if: Thinking about another Ed Mirvish production makes you want to gag.

Highlight: The set design is sparse but perfect in the form of rows of headless business suits, which are also used as costumes throughout. The meticulous act of pefectly folding clothing into little piles recalls Japanese food presentation such as Bento Box, which the play addresses as a reflection of the culture.

Any performance which features a smarmy pair of girls wearing schoolgirl outfits that force male audience members to answer questions about their views on sex, baseball and politics is captivating.

Lowlight: The very ending of the play sticks out a bit like a sore thumb, particularly since the previous scenes achieve fluidity despite strong variations in tone, plot and character. To some the ending doesn’t work and the effect it aims to create is lost. I think it’s an incredible reversal of power that links together the physical and symbolic elements of the various stories in a holy shit-worthy ‘climax’.

What was the audience like: Theatre lovers, academics, culturally active 30-somethings. Dress nicely, but it’s not the opera.

Who you should bring: Your friend who loves subversive art and/or theories concerning sexuality, gender and power. Probably not your grandmother…unless you have a really awesome, progressive, feminist grandma.

Verdict: Drop your plans tonight- you need to see this play. It’s interactive, satirical, sexy, intelligent and beautifully designed. Even if you don’t like it (which would be surprising) it brings up different discussion topics to pick apart with your friends during post-theatre drinks.