5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche – it’s an enigmatic show title that grabs your attention and makes you wonder what it could possibly be about. Michael D Hollick sat down with the show’s director, Lorna Mackie, in the hope she could make a bit more sense of things before the show hits Henry Summer in Northbridge, as part of FRINGE WORLD, from Wednesday, February 21 to Saturday, February 24. For tickets and more information, visit the event page here.
Nice title. Is quiche a euphemism?
Quiche is a multi layered concept to the sisterhood. On one hand, it’s flaky eggy pastry goodness. Quiche is also symbolic to the sisterhood. It is made from egg, which is sacred to the sisters, and divine. As for other meanings… you’ll need to watch the show. Suffice it to say, the ladies really enjoy their quiche experiences!
Moving on, what exactly is the show about?
The show follows a meeting of the Susan B Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein, in real time. It’s 1956 cold war America, and the ladies of the are having their annual quiche breakfast, when Russia drop a nuke. They are trapped inside their reinforced community centre with what could be the last quiche on earth! Hilarity and chaos ensues.
What, in particular, attracted you to direct this show?
The play was written by Evan Linder and Andrew Hobgood. I love contemporary, quirky theatre and this is an awesome example of the genre. The seriousness with which they deal with the absurdity of the situation is very Fawlty Towers or Monty Python in style, but softened by the sisters being genuinely likeable. I love this style of theatre, with its black humour.
Given that the show is set in the 1950s, how do you think it translates to contemporary audiences?
The show is classic situation comedy – in many ways, the period is irrelevant, although the 50s styling is gorgeous and adds a titillating dimension to the lesbian reveal. The change from ladies to lesbians is gorgeous. The 1950s serve to provide the backdrop and the rationale for hiding their lesbianism behind the façade of respectability that it is the sisterhood.
And finally, I hate to be frank but I don’t really like quiche. However, I do like Fringe, and I do enjoy comedy, as long as it’s not too risque, and the occasional drink. Do you think I will enjoy the show?
Absolutely! No punters will be forced to eat quiche at any point. The show is very accessible, hysterically funny and while a bit saucy, unlikely to offend.
