The State - The Blue Room Theatre

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Tue 14 May 2024 - Sat 25 May 2024

Jupiter, M. (Director). (2024). The State. Jupiter, M. (Writer). [Theatre Production] Blue Room Theatre. Photo credit Cole Baxter.

The State is a political satire that uses humour and exaggeration to criticise and ridicule the political elite in Australia. The show was developed by Marli Jupiter (director/writer) and Rhiannon Bryan (writer/performer) and produced by Holland Brooks. The State premiered at The Blue Room Theatre on Tuesday, 14 May 2024. The show runs for 120 minutes (including a 15-minute interval) and features a talented cast of performances that include Jo Cooper, Lucy Wong, Mazey O’Reilly and Bronte Frances.


Jupiter, M. (Director). (2024). The State. Jupiter, M. (Writer). [Theatre Production] Blue Room Theatre. Photo credit Emmason Tucker.

Marli Jupiter and Rhiannon Bryan are both graduates of The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Jupiter has a background in drag, puppetry, clowning and physical theatre and Bryan is skilled in performing, writing, and dramaturgy. Jupiter and Bryan were both selected by the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre to take part in their Artist in Residence program in 2023 . The State was originally developed in 2023 to be featured as part of The Blue Room Theatre's 600-second program which showcased 16 different artists over five nights of live performances. The State was supported by The Spare Parts Puppet Theatre as part of its Artist in Residency Program in 2023 and by The Rechabite and The Blue Room Theatre as part of The Screen for Dreams 2023 Project.


Jupiter, M. (Director). (2024). The State. Jupiter, M. (Writer). [Theatre Production] Blue Room Theatre. Photo credit Emmason Tucker.

The State is a deeply layered caricature of Australian politics that paints an unflattering image of the politicians and the privileged elite who support them. It is set in a satirical version of Australia where each of the state premiers is referred to as 'State Daddies' which I immediately picked up as a reference to former WA Premier Mark McGowan who earned the nickname ‘State Daddy’ during the Covid-19 pandemic. Another joke that I caught was a line about the Prime Minister being on holiday. This was an obvious reference to former Prime Minister Scott Morrison going on holiday to Hawaii while much of Australian suffered through a horrendous bush fire season.


Jupiter, M. (Director). (2024). The State. Jupiter, M. (Writer). [Theatre Production] Blue Room Theatre. Photo credit Emmason Tucker.

I was really impressed with Leisl Lucerne-Knight’s costume designs. When the performers stepped onto the stage dressed as the ‘State Daddies’ they were wearing skin-tight black body suits. I thought it was an interesting choice that they were each dressed like jesters and had cod pieces built into the front of their pants. I liked how bright each of their costumes was and how the fabric sparkled in the stage light. I was very impressed with the make-up. The heavy white face paint, black lip, pencilled moustache, spots on the cheeks and raised eyebrows reminded me a lot of pantomimes. One of the most laugh-out-loud moments in the show occurred when each of the State Daddies grabbed each other’s cod-pieces and simulated sex acts on each other. It was a wonderful bit of satire.


Jupiter, M. (Director). (2024). The State. Jupiter, M. (Writer). [Theatre Production] Blue Room Theatre. Photo credit Cole Baxter.

I thought it was interesting how they used puppets in the show. They used marionettes that they controlled with strings, hand puppets, and masks that they carried in their hands, and wore on their wrists, their foreheads, and on their crotch and buttocks. I really liked how the performers used body language to act with the puppets. They stripped down to their black body suits and stepped into the spotlight holding a mask in their hands and moved across the stage with the grace of a dancer. I laughed when one performer appeared with a mask on their crotch and another on their back-side and thrust their hips back and forth. I thought it was an interesting metaphor about how some politicians like to screw other people over.

There were some things that I did not like about the show. I thought that it went on for too long and I felt the show wanted me to think long and hard about the messaging it represented. I was left a bit confused by some of the metaphors and who some of the characters were meant to represent. I think that if you did not watch the news or follow Australian politics on social media you might be left very confused by some of the themes and messages in the show. I understood enough of it to be very impressed.

The State is currently showing at the Blue Room Theatre until Saturday, 25 May 2024. The show runs for 120 minutes and is suitable for people 18 years old and older. It contains adult concepts that include sexual themes, kinks, drug use, coarse language, violence, strobe lighting, and smoke and haze. Ticket prices are $32.00 for full price and $27.00 for concession. To book tickets for this show please visit https://blueroom.org.au

Marisa Quinn-Haisu was invited as a guest

Summary: The State is a political satire that uses phallic puppetry, slapstick comedy, gender-bending costumes, and fantastic make-up to deliver a hilarious commentary on democracy and politics.
Cost Full price tickets $32.00, concession $27.00
Website: https://blueroom.org.au/events/the-state/
When: Tuesday, 14 May to Saturday, 25 May 2024 at 6.30pm.
Running Time: 120 mins (including 15mins Interval)
Audience: The State is suitable for adults 18 years +
Where: The Blue Room Theatre, 53 James Street Mall, Perth WA 6000
More Theatre Reviews by Marisa
Gal Pals - The Blue Room Theatre
WALK - Blue Room Theatre
Yee Howdy - Blue Room Theatre
The Bleeding Tree - Blue Room Theatre
Little Women - Blue Room Theatre
Borderline - The Blue Room Theatre
Watch and Act - The Blue Room Theatre

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