Mutton - the Duo: From trapeze tumbles to feminist triumphs, these women say what other women are thinking

From trapeze tumbles to feminist triumphs, this “sassy, honest and funny as f--k” duo are fearless post-menopausal cabaret circus performers flipping the script on age, gender – and how to take a wee.

Gabrielle Griffin and Simone O’Brien are bringing their whirlwind Mutton - the Duo tour to NSW coastal towns this February. Kate Holmes Photographer

Simone O’Brien was a feminist long before she understood what the word meant but she’s adamant she “wasn’t born one but was made one”.

Perhaps it began after watching her mother’s struggle raising a family or the day she accepted a challenge to pee standing up like her five brothers.

What is clear is Ms O’Brien wasn’t born to play by the patriarchy’s playbook.

As one half of cabaret-circus Mutton - the Duo, Ms O’Brien and her partner in crime Gabrielle Griffin, are challenging misogyny and society’s obsession with youth – one circus cabaret show at a time.

The gut-bustingly funny pair, who describe themselves as “sassy, honest and funny as f--k”, have embarked on a whirlwind tour along the New South Wales coast.

Mutton - The Duo bring circus, puppetry and theatrical flair to their shows. Kate Holmes Photographer

“By getting out there at 60, starting a punk band with and modelling resistance to expectations through music, being loud and rude and saying what’s on your mind we can empower other women,” Ms O’Brien said.

In their shows, the duo fearlessly voice what other women think but may be afraid to talk about — a unique and irreverent post-menopausal take on life, love, and vaginas all while the “apocalypse looms”.

Mutton audiences can expect punky old dogs learning new musical tricks. Kate Holmes Photographer

Being fearless does have its risks and Ms O’Brien knows all too well after two falls from the trapeze — the first time in 1996 by her error and the second time in 1999 by someone else’s.

But she has always managed to get back up because of pure grit and carried on determined to be visible.

“Visibility for older women is vitally important so get out there, do what you’ve always wanted to do, find your joy and don’t take no for an answer.”

Get ready NSW for Mutton’s raunchy humour, punk cabaret aesthetics and feminist wit all up and down the coast this month. Kate Holmes Photographer

Their current NSW Coast “slow-cooked” tour reimagines traditional touring through a slower, greener approach — travelling in electric vehicles and supporting the local economies by staying in Airbnbs.

“It’s really important for us to live our truth and we want to start to normalise some of the changes we will need to make in the ongoing climate catastrophe.”

Funding from Create NSW has made what’s not being said on stage as important as what is by embedding Auslan interpreters into the shows.

And in the true spirit of raising other women up, the duo will donate 10 per cent of profits to local women’s refuges.

Tour dates can be found here.

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