An Education in Glitter
There’s no shying away from the fact that Lisa-Skye’s comedy isn’t going to be for everyone. From the second they launch into a personalised rendition of Love Shack, you have some idea what you may be in for, that is, if their look hadn’t given you any hints.
A shocking blend of performance art and observational humour, Lisa-Skye excels at picking apart the intricacies of what it means to live your dreams. When they read from their diary, the audience is drawn into the belly of the Sparklebeast, as Lisa opens up about personal and professional insecurities, the pressures of touring, and what it means to identify as a kinky/queer/sparklepuppy/Muppet dominatrix/Femme Daddy.
The show itself is a rollercoaster. Just as you think you’re settling in for a night of amusing anecdotes about becoming an uncle and allegedly consuming illicit narcotics in the vicinity of Heathrow airport, Skye shakes things up with a frank discussion of the problem with ideas of masculinity in straight cis-males. You’ll cry laughing as this hour-long set turns to consent and stalking, and question if the true meaning of adulthood really does require bulk racism. Lisa-Skye startles you with their “shouty little potato voice”, leaving no one in the audience questioning who is the true master in this relationship.
this is the sort of stand-up that Newtown thrives on – taking pride in sex-and-body-positivity; embracing those who eschew the mainstream ideal of heteronormative monogamy; and encouraging the brave
The only fault in Skye’s show is that more people aren’t aware of it. Performing a limited run at the Factory Theatre, this is the sort of stand-up that Newtown thrives on – taking pride in sex-and-body-positivity; embracing those who eschew the mainstream ideal of heteronormative monogamy; and encouraging the brave few who indulge in ironic, hedonistic pursuits such as puppeteer-fisting. This review won’t be out in time for those who may wish to catch the second Sydney Comedy Festival performance, but there is a certainty in the notion that we will be seeing a lot more of Lisa-Skye in the near future.
Spiders Wearing Party Hats is a must-see for anyone with an open mind and a vivid imagination.
– Dean Cool