Writers: Samuel Brewer, Aarian Mehrabani and Chloe Palmer
Director: Josh Roche
Tread lightly when reviewing FlawBored’s show about ableism and ableist anxiety. Be careful of what you say, especially when there are two blind men on stage. Too many stars given by a reviewer would suggest pity, but any less that three would imply prejudice. But rest assured, It’s a Motherf**king Pleasure deserves all the praise a reviewer can throw at it.
The funniest part of the show occurs before the main narrative is presented. Performers Samuel Brewer, Aarian Mehrabani and Chloe Palmer must make sure that the space is accessible for all. They must ensure that there is audio-description for the blind and the partially sighted. To make the show accessible for d/Deaf community the script is projected on the back wall. They warn members of the audience that there will be loud noises and that they may be gay jokes. They hear that one member of the audience needs the lights down lower in order to fully see while the actors need the lights up more so that they can see the edge of the stage.
Palmer suggests to any non-disabled people in the audience that they turn their backs for half the show to experience, in some way, what it’s like to be visually impaired at the theatre. It’s a fast and furious start, but it’s a credit to the performers, who also write the show, that in spite of all these restrictions, additions, disclosures and trigger warnings, the space feels entirely inclusive and safe. This is a smart satire on modern life.
Indeed, so funny is the start, and the end which returns to these meta themes, that the main narrative struggles a little to come into focus. Briefly, the story is about a company called Rize, who in the face of claims of being ableist, hire a blind influencer to promote their brand. The show takes too long to get to this point, but once there, the story comes alive.
Persuaded by the PR arm of the company, the influencer puts his name to a book that has already been written for him. The company were looking for a disabled version of Why I Am No Longer Talking To White People About Race. They call their influencer’s book When The Lights Go Out We Are All Blind. The publication of the book has horrific consequences.
The three performers are as sharp as knives, especially, Brewer, who in a suit, plays the more sleazy characters. His timing is impeccable. Non-disabled Palmer plays a range of roles including one HR employee who is terrified of saying the wrong thing. Mehrabani is the influencer who just wants to get on in life, but who is dragged into a treacherous lion’s den of political correctness and thorny identity politics.
The moral dilemmas that the performers raise feel very fresh and we can only hope that this show finds new homes after its short run at the VAULT Festival. It’s a motherf**king pleasure indeed.
Runs until 26 February 2023
