Naked At My Age: Charla Hathaway Is Showing Us The Way ~ Adelaide Fringe 2023 Review

[Theatre & Physical Theatre/Storytelling ~ AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE ~ USA] Main Stage at ARTHUR ARTBAR @ West Village, Thu 23 Feb, 2023. Charla Hathaway is comfortable and capable being a wise woman, a muse and myth-buster. Her show is a forthright manifesto for feminism, empowering women and men to claim their own sexuality. She takes aim and fires both barrels at the pathetic hypocrisy of patriarchy in condemning sex-work, demanding respect and rightful recognition for this profession. This is also a rousing battle cry for bodily autonomy. Her honest account of her own life story so far reveals her love for everything she does. Following her heart and listening to her inner voice, she challenges us to keep growing into intimacy, whatever our numerical age. Yes, our skin – our largest organ – is more fragile as we get older, but then it’s also more sensitive. Beyond the conventions and expectations of family and society are worlds of pleasure. But these are not hidden or taboo places. They lie within each of us, at our very fingertips. Like a good teacher she shows us the way there and leaves us eager to explore. There’s not enough time together to share all the experiences she offers in the school she founded, but demos and audience involvement complement her monologue with her musical voice. Several songs support her story, two originals and a parody of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Music Of The Night from The Phantom Of The Opera. A woman taking full control of her life is a role reversal, and those in the sex industry, let alone anyone like Charla who flies the feminist flag exposing the foundations of sexism and misogyny, open themselves to fierce backlash and prejudice. Yet her supreme confidence, enthusiasm and commitment are endearing and engaging. There is a belief that gender equality is already here; but despite more awareness, the reality is, sexism is alive and well. It has shape-shifted from the ‘traditional’ sexism of the 20th Century to modern variations, the insidious, subtle ‘benevolent’ sexism, and now we even have ‘hostile’ sexism, denying any discrimination against women and making men the victims! As she points out, it is men who need her lessons the most. Maybe the main mantra, among a string of others, is to ‘slow down enough to enjoy the journey.’ She packs in plenty of tips on how to get there, without telling us what to do. Charla’s intention is to always leave those she meets better off than she finds them, and in this she succeeds expertly. Presented by Conundrum Theatre. 3.5 stars David Cronin Naked At My Age continues at Main Stage at ARTHUR ARTBAR @ West Village, at various times, until Sun 26 Feb. Book at FringeTIX and adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #Clothesline_Mag #ADLfringe