Girl World | Adelaide Fringe 2022 review

Gender identification and overt sexism are centre stage in the game show from hell.

Girl World.

Girl World

Theatre and Physical Theatre

Rating: ***1/2

RUMPUS

Until February 27

Gender identification and overt sexism are centre stage in the game show from hell in this new SAYarts production.

Welcome to Girl World the popular talent show – where girls are always at a disadvantage – in need of a Squid Game life or death angle to boost flagging ratings.

But don’t worry, no one dies – they are just lobotomised in the brutal elimination to declare the winner of a $20m prize.

In the age where many consider gender binary is redundant, Girl World – with mind numbing gendered tasks – is the reflection of The Bachelor, Love Island and MAFS that dominate Australian TV schedules.

Based, somewhat worryingly, on the experiences of the cast who reject the toxic reinforcement of male/female gender of “girly” and “manly” instilled by some of their teachers, Girl World is packed with great ideas and insights.

But perhaps too many – and with a stage crammed with 20 actors it did descend into chaos a little too repetitively.

Among the talented cast, Sophie Fielder as the Girl World host is an ever-reliable anchor and Kate Wooding as Britney (Spears) deserves mention for her lively, entertaining performances in two SAYarts productions on the same night.