A deliciously sparkly hour of satire and queer joy
London based duo Fag Packet stormed into the Bristol Old Vic for a whirlwind hour of comedy that gleefully struck down the capitalist patriarchy. This show was as sharp as it was joyful, delivering satire with a big smile.
The peppy and pristine Susan and her hapless colleague Sally welcomed the audience to a business seminar for DYKE ( Dynamic, Young, Knowledgeable and Entrepreneurial) Systems LTD– what begins as a corporate setup quickly becomes something far wackier. Through a mix of song, dance and even a re- enactment of the biblical story of genesis – involving a hilarious moment where a snake becomes a handbag – corporate feminism is revealed to be a sham – much like the imaginary products that Susan and Sally are peddling to the audience.
A warm, participatory and engaging atmosphere made the audience feel instantly included. A particular highlight included scissor fingering with my neighbours and a hug for those called Katie.
The characters were skilfully brought to life with incredible energy and enthusiasm by the talented performers Kheski Kobler and Holly Wilson-Guy. Their chemistry grounded the chaos and absurdity of the story in a genuine love for one another. The hyper-feminized American sales-women characters provided an interesting commentary on the hollowness of capitalism and its interception with patriarchy, forcing women to conform to heteronormativity. This is perfectly encapsulated when Sally finds Susan drinking in a bar and teaches her how to be feminine – yet Susan never fully leaves her past behind, shown through her out of place hiking shoes in a touch that is both funny and playful.
Susan and Sally both recognise their love for one another and discard heteronormativity and corporate feminism in an ending that was joyful, empowering and of course sexy as Sally and Susan shed their blazers jumping on a motorcycle in a movement sequence straight out of a lesbian action film with brilliant movement direction by Barry Fitzgerald. The FBI tries to close in but they ultimately get away and there is of course yet another brilliant dance routine.
Directed with skilful precision by Lucy Allan, the joy of these two performers was infectious and there’s never a dull moment in this show. At its heart Fag Packet celebrate queerness and theatre’s power as an act of radical and defiant fun.