Can a non-binary person win love, succeed in auditions, and keep their job without changing their socks? "Maybe This Time" is a surprisingly emotional comedy cabaret, based on true stories of Hobart performing artist Zeb Direen (who prefers they/them pronouns), being performed for their Melbourne premiere.
Getting ready in the morning should be simple, but not for Zeb, with every decision they make impacting how they are seen by the people around them. They work, audition, and go clubbing, all the while double checking every action so they can continue to sit elegantly on the tipping point between masculine and feminine (OK, maybe they want to tip more towards feminine). How do they stay sane, you may ask? That's simple: by singing their favourite musical escapist songs. Zeb Direen (pillow seller, crayon collector, insulin taker) has written "Maybe This Time" to shed light on the everyday frustrations they face not fitting into a gender binary, and performing in it because only they can. "I made this work, or continued making this work, because of the frequency I have to ask people or correct people when using male/masculine pronouns and descriptors when talking about me. I want people to leave my performance thinking about the assumptions we make with gender with beautiful music still ringing in their ears." - Zeb Direen Zeb will be joined masterfully on keyboard by Melbourne-based classically-trained pianist Nicholas Gray, who has accompanied cabaret performers such as Mama Alto, Ilana Charnelle, and Leanne Chuan. He has also written and produced two original musicals with his partner Caleb Darwent, "Sophisticated Lady" and "The Adulteresses", both of which received sell-out shows and stellar reviews.
Some audience reactions to "Maybe This Time" "A deeply touching yet hilarious reflection upon gender. I love the combination of physical theatre, self-reflexivity and the raw braveness of the production. It's something special when the audience begins stamping the floor at the backspace! " - Isabella Young
"A few days after the show I'm surprised to find myself still thinking about some of the topics explored in the narrative, especially how we determine "gender" and what this means for those who don't identity with binary gender definitions." - Delia Bartle
Tickets are extremely limited, so book now, don't miss the opportunity to see this exceptional thought provoking piece.
MAYBE THIS TIME
Dates: 25th Sept - 1st Oct
Times: 5:30pm (55 min)
Venue: The Butterfly Club
Tickets: Full $32, Concession $28, Groups (6+) $25.
TO BOOK TICKETS visit thebutterflyclub.com
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