Rule 34 Club's XXXmas at Giant Dwarf

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Wed 11 Dec 2019

%%(Content note: this was an X-rated performance.)
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A variety show on acid. Demented drag. Bodily fluids. Champagne enemas. These are just some of the descriptions for Rule 34 Club, who put on a very raunchy Christmas cabaret at Giant Dwarf.

Oh boy, what was I in for?

Turns out, one of the funniest and most refreshing shows I've been to in 2019, that takes theatre and turns it on its head, tells it to bend over and spanks it.

XXXmas is equal parts tear-inducing funny, hand-over-mouth shocking, and jaw-droppingly astonishing; not least thanks to the diversity of cast that took to the stage. When society doles out a very narrow descriptor of what it means to be 'sexy', Rule 34 Club is a breath of much-needed fresh air.



And that's the point, says founder and host Amie Wee, who's been running Rule 34 Club for the last two and a half years. 'I've worked in the Australian and New Zealand porn industries for over a third of my life, and as a gay feminist who's made her money by creating content for the male gaze... well, I have thoughts. Most of my personal performances revolve around subverting porn by questioning what the media feeds us about what sexy is.'

XXXmas like a mixed bag – or rather – Santa's sack, brimming with burlesque, striptease, comedy, dance, singing and well, acts that don't fit into a neat box. Highlights included singer heavyweight Ben Noir, fresh off The Voice, who had the audience squealing with delight with his operatic falsetto that would have any soprano singer green with envy. Singer Lou P Scarlett, dressed as a glitzy Christmas tree performed two original songs which had the whole audience dancing and grinding, slinging sick electro beats and strong vocals. And the Demon Derriere duo, also featuring Lou P Scarlett, had the audience howling (or maybe mooing?) as they took to the stage with a dirrrrty dance routine, complete with killer cow costumes and er, milkshakes.

There's no set 'type' of performer of audience member. It's a space where everyone is welcome. 'That's the beauty of Rule 34 Club,' Amie says. 'The performers range from 18 to 80 year olds, and features people of all genders and identities.'

And while many established performers took the stage with cleverly choreographed routines, XXXmas was also a chance for emerging performers to try something new. 'That's the most exciting part for me,' Amie says. 'A lot of the performers at Rule 34 Club have never been on stage before. They come to a Rule 34 show and feel inspired to put something together. It's amazing to watch that transition.'



As for the origins of Rule 34 Club, it started as simply creating space to create a space that traditional theatre tends to ignore. 'I studied theatre at University and have always been drawn to experimental, subversive theatre that grabs you and makes you feel something - whether that be uncontrollable belly laughs, discomfort, excitement or arousal!' Amie explains.

And given the recent cutbacks to Australia's art sector, it's more important than ever to create spaces and opportunities, particularly ones that are not otherwise on offer. 'The two main reasons I started Rule 34, were that I wanted to create a space that didn't have a hierarchy - that encouraged people of all backgrounds, sexualities, ages and abilities to play and get paid for it. A space for people that the spotlight tends to avoid.' 'Plus I was also fed up with just seeing really boring theatre and paying a lot for the privilege. I wanted to blur the lines between performers and audience, and create a community of people who found a home in Rule 34 in one way or another.' 'I wanted to create Sydney's underground fight club of performance art. Rule 34 tickets are pretty cheap and cram a lot of entertainment into one night.'

A performance that promises 'Broadway-esque numbers and BDSM, erotic Shrek cosplay, interspersed with spoken word and comedy,' isn't always going to be everyone's cup of tea, but for many – and given the sold out performance in a 300 seat venue – Rule 34 is certainly appealing to many – XXXmas throws out the teapot entirely and shakes up a flamboyant margarita instead.

#burlesque
#cabaret
#nightlife
#redfern
#shows
#theatre
#december
!date 11/12/2019 -- 11/12/2019
%wnsydney