Frankie Thompson and Liv Ello’s Body show is a dystopian cacophony of farce, comedy and tragedy. Body Show is both unsettling and delightful, packed with pop culture references, irony and an edge of horror. It is neither a play, sketch show, nor chronicle, and remains in a category of clowning that is distinct from any I have seen. It is playful yet horrifying, clear yet utterly mystifying—but if nothing else, it is beautiful.
Playful yet horrifying, clear yet utterly mystifying—but if nothing else, it is beautiful
The pair present themselves as Barbara and Kenneth (aka. Barbie and Ken) with deliberately rigid physicality and forced mannerisms that reflect both the dolls’ persona and the dysmorphia that we witness throughout the show. The performance is grounded in these two characters who are respectively confronted with the roles imposed upon them by the outside world. This is conveyed through episodic collections of lip-syncing, confessionals and movement, all crafted with sharp precision and timing.
There are a couple of moments in the show where the text feels slightly abrupt, perhaps a little too on-the-nose, which distracts me slightly from the otherwise magical production. These are only minor, however, and their paired dialogue is very special to watch. Thompson and Ello cleverly limit their paired scene-work, which creates gorgeous tension on stage as they exchange charged glances and dance around each other in the space. Ello’s physicality is especially polished and evocative, and Thompson’s facial expressions are incredibly moving. One of the strongest elements is their lip-syncing which utilises a wealth of obscure clips from pop-culture history that are both unsettling and hilarious, and excellently paints a picture of Barbie and Ken’s distress. The impressive set, lighting and sound elevate these sections to something that feels beautifully cinematic.
Thompson and Ello explore some distressing yet prevalent themes using their satirical style. It is highly commendable that Body Show presents these issues in a way that feels cathartic and respectful, especially when many attempts often feel histrionic and misjudged. Rather than being superficially ‘triggering,’ their language is freeing and examines experiences of personal difficulties from an intimate, authentic perspective that is so rarely expressed on stage. It is incredibly special to see.
Body Show is truly unique and special. It unleashes one-of-a-kind creativity onto the stage that immerses the audience in a wholly different world. It is a spectacle that is not to be missed.
