Domestic Bliss
Quiche Lorraine
Director: Anni Davey
The Fringe Factory
Season closed

Set in the post war 'fifties, 'Domestic Bliss' utilises a combination of modern gymnastics, mime and movement to explore the then seen role of women as homebound stereotypes. Basing the premise on the expectations of the perfect wife, Melbourne's Quiche Lorraine (under the direction of Circus Oz's Anni Davey) begin the show by frivolously depicting women as petite, immaculately kempt and robotically going about their daily chores.

As each act progresses, the troupe (made up of four females and one male) become increasingly more liberated with themes of infidelity and homosexual experimentation brought to the fore. Topics that were strictly taboo back then and, keeping within the times, were depicted with an even, well choreographed mix of gracefulness and trepidation. Using a bed sheet on a clothesline, slides and home movies from days gone were screened to allow the performers to take their places for each act and to transport us back.

With the recorded sounds of Gracie Fields and Eartha Kitt playing on an old record player throughout, live music provided by troupe member Francesca Sculli included a stirring take on Cat Power's Where Is My Love which might have even sent shivers up Chan herself's spine, as well as spoken piece set against a raggedly plucked cello. Tea cups, ironing boards and kitchen tables were metaphorically used as props and foils as these incredibly skilled performers precariously balanced themselves atop, with hula-hoops and cup cakes lending much humour to both the seaside scene and closing act.

'Domestic Bliss' will most certainly make my list of favourite acts for this year's Fringe, it's just a pity it ran for such a short season because word of mouth alone would guarantee the crowds.

Steve Jones