Indicts the expectation that dignity is for sale and explores the line between demeaning and empowering work under late-stage capitalism”
Party Favour by Shelby Corley and Alexandra Sophia Ashe is a humorous and surprisingly poignant one-woman show highlighting the daily exploitation that underwrites hyper-capitalist America. As much as it is a distinctly modern commentary, Party Favour is infused with childhood whimsy, and calls on memories of a simpler time. Kay Brittan’s direction involves clever props and set pieces, which enhance the nostalgic and playful atmosphere.
Corley brings her script to life as Fiona, a twenty-something struggling to keep herself financially afloat as a fairy princess for hire. While entertaining toddlers at Beverly Hills birthday parties, Fiona struggles with physical and professional empowerment. In Party Favour, she must decide the lengths she’s willing to go to pay the bills in the gig economy.
Party Favour is a critique of American capitalism and the extreme polarization of security and desperation as a consequence of extreme wealth inequality. Despite the universality of gig work, Party Favour speaks to a uniquely female experience. Under the umbrella of late stage capitalism, femininity itself is capital and sexual market value can be lucrative. Party Favour responds to the relationship between this value and traditional beauty standards, particularly surrounding weight. It also explores the contradictions within the commodification of female sexuality, and the tension between exploitation and control, victimhood and power, as women exercise the right to profit off the patriarchy. It asks, fundamentally, who makes what rules. While offering timely and provocative questions, Party Favour is not moralistic. It interrogates its themes without judgement, didacticism, or answers.
Party Favour is first-and-foremost a comedy. Corley fully embodies her character, radiating a hilarious and honest blend of confidence, uncertainty, and desperation. Though the story is told through Fiona’s eyes, Corley occasionally voices supporting characters. The moments in which she becomes a condescending LA mom or screaming toddler are highlights and could be employed to even greater effect. Corley is reflexively funny, as evidenced by her performance, along with her occasional improvisation in the form of audience participation.
The purpose of this audience involvement, however, is unclear and it is unfortunately a weak point of the show. It’s similarly unclear if audience members are mere voyeurs to the events on-stage or participants in the world of the scene. The conversational element between Corley and her audience is entertaining but feels out-of-place. It creates an intimacy with the performer that transcends the inherently-intimate nature of solo-shows, but runs the risk of collapsing Corley and her character.
The show’s narrative arc is broadly a weak point. The play is non-linear; events are performed out of order, alternating between scenes of an especially traumatic birthday party and an unexpected follow-up gig. These time jumps are confusing, though thematically effective. The juxtaposition between Fiona’s two jobs and their parallel stories allow Corley and Ashe to play with double-entendres regarding the interplay of sexualisation and infantilisation. ‘Play’ and ‘games’ come up throughout.
Party Favour makes fun of everything from the ridiculous names made up by LA parents to the inter-dynamics of power, money, and control. It indicts the expectation that dignity is for sale and explores the line between demeaning and empowering work under late-stage capitalism. Party Favour is over almost as quickly as it begins, but in its 45-minute run time manages to offer clear perspective and commentary on the world. It is jam-packed with jokes, even in its darker final moments. Audiences may not know exactly how we are meant to feel about the ideas and events on stage; what is clear is that we are meant to laugh.
Party Favour is on at the Etcetera Theatre through May 15th. Tickets are available at https://www.etceteratheatrecamden.com/events/party-favour.
Age restriction: 18+, nudity, sexual themes, sexual violence