The Whore Whisperer - Confessios of a Madam by Meshel Laurie
at North Melbourne Town Hall until October 21, 2000
Shows: 9.45pm
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
We expect the Fringe Festival to challenge us in all sorts
of ways. Meshel Laurie's Whore Whisperer certainly does so with its graphic but
comic content about brothels in Melbourne.
Laurie, with director Sioban Tuke, creates a comfortable
stage style which shifts between the theatrical and stand-up comedy.
The sole character on stage is a receptionist in a brothel.
Laurie herself supports her stand-up career as a brothel receptionist. Her
personal stories told directly to the audience are eye-openers both about the
working girls and their clients who are know as "mugs".
Laurie perches on a stool at a desk littered with Women's
Weeklies, Tim-Tams, doughnuts and Minties. At intervals, a 'mug' enters and she
goes through her arrival spiel:
"Have you been here before? It's $209 for an hour, $167
for three-quarters, $126 for a
half."... etc. It is dull, repetitive, annoying and often abusive work
which seems to make women loathe men.
The piece is theatricalised simply and cleverly by Tuke by
injecting taped introductory raves by hooker to 'mugs' about the kind of
service they will offer. "No kissing" is common. It is too intimate
for the women. Other more grotesque fantasies are offered for extra fees.
Laurie cites Super-modelling and prostitution as the two
ways in which women can earn as much as men in a short time. A single mother
can support her child on two six hours shifts per week.
The insights into the mechanisms of the brothel are
fascinating and a little frightening. We feel like voyeurs or trainees. The
receptionist's job is not glamorous. She manages moody girls or transsexuals
hookers, copes with laundry (don't think too hard about that one!) with pricing,
quiet nights, groups of lads and dissatisfied mugs.
The classier brothels have a pool table and lounge with
gorgeous gals under 25. The suburban houses are less colourful. This is a risky
show. One man even got up and stormed out when he thought Laurie should not be
including his girlfriend's name in a joke. Unnecessary behaviour, but it shows
how sensitive the issue is.
By Kate Herbert
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