A raw, hilarious and poignant show that is part comedy, part theatre and a lot of storytelling, Crash Theatre Co presents the South Australian premiere of WHALE, as part of the 2023 Adelaide Fringe, at My Lover Cindi this March.
WHALE tells the true story of Courtney, a fat and funny lesbian, documenting her journey from a boy crazy, hyper feminine ‘pick me’ girl to a woman who quite frankly does not give a f*ck anymore about what people think.
It’s been a long journey with failed diets, passive aggressive comments and crying in Sportsgirl changerooms, but she’s ended up alright. More than alright, actually.
WHALE explores the Funny Girl – a persona that uses humour to disguise weight. It’s critical of generational diet culture, the entanglement of fatness and sexuality and the fact that Courtney gets told she reminds people of Rebel Wilson because they are “kind of similar”.
Crash Theatre Co is a radical and future bound independent theatre company based in Boorloo (Perth, WA). Forged by two young women, the visionaries behind Crash are storytellers – each living a life with bumps in the road, with opportunities lost and won, determined to succeed and destined to make an impact.
Crash is the result of over a decade’s worth of collaboration and a labour of love that began in a university common room. Originally established as the Performing Arts Alumni Society (PAAS) in 2018, this creative collective have been producing original and intentional productions since its inception.
Crash is committed to telling stories of resiliency, risk and resourcefulness, aiming to be a mouthpiece to expressive and impactful stories that need to be told.
Director & Producer: Ana Ferreira Manhoso | Writer & Performer: Courtney McManus | Sound Design: Bec Price
WHALE
My Lover Cindi, 223 Flinders Street, Adelaide
Season: 8 – 11 March 2023
Information and Bookings: www.adelaidefringe.com.au
Image: Courtney McManus – photo by Declan Young