A large and responsive audience gave a warm welcome to Christchurch-based playwright/actor Lizzie Tollemache’s wildly engaging, high-energy exploration of the life-long impact of neurodivergence during last week’s premiere performance of The NeuroSpice Girls.
Described as "a funny and ferocious neurodivergent odyssey, from gut-punching denial to celebration," the show was directed by Kim Morgan, and produced through her local theatre company Hic Sunt Dracones (HSD).
The NeuroSpice Girls centres on the challenges faced by Tollemache — as a child in the playground, as a teenager and as an adult, when she could finally set about dealing with her issues. Along the way, she shares intimate details — some hilarious and others heartbreaking — of the many times her unique thought processes led to embarrassment, anxiety and punishment.
An entertaining and sympathetic performer, Tollemache’s masterful performance was superbly supported by a "Greek chorus" of top notch local actors, Mārama Grant, Lexie Tomlinson, Ellie Swann and Destiny Carvell.
Each with their own stories of neurodivergence and challenges, the chorus helped keep the energy levels high and add immensely to the show’s frequent moments of hilarity with impeccable comic timing — especially during satiric moments like the wickedly hysterical "therapy for the patriarchy" sequence. They can really sing as well.
Alongside its many very funny sequences, The NeuroSpice Girls was filled with relatable moments, such as the triumphant announcement of "boundaries" and the moving sharing of the women’s whakapapa through their mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers.
The HSD kaupapa to "go off the map" and find distinctive venues for each of its productions was brilliantly fulfilled with the space at 24 Filleul St, sourced with support from the Dunedin Dream Brokerage. Clearly, a lot of work went into turning the space into a black box theatre, complete with a simple, effective and adaptive set designed and created by Matthew Morgan.
Lighting design by Garry Keirle, sound and music by Matthew Morgan as well as tech support by Jordan Wichman enhanced the theatricality of the piece, while also minimising potential sensory overload.
All in all, HSD’s production of Tollemache’s The NeuroSpice Girls was a triumph, bringing a fresh, informative and thoroughly entertaining approach to an important subject. Congratulations to all involved on a superb show.
