Madeleine Little has created a work that brings accessible theatre to Brisbane.
'Hold' aims to offer d/Deaf and disabled people more opportunities to enjoy mainstream theatre, borne out of a very real need in Queensland.
The show itself is an exploration of longing, lust, and letting go, following Madeleine on a girls' night as she wonders if she'll ever feel the comfort and safety she's been searching for.
Whether it's boy drama or problems at work, sometimes you just need to call an emergency girls' night.
Madeleine Little lists five emergency girls' night essentials ahead of 'Hold'.
Dessert, Obviously
Grab a tub of your favourite ice-cream – I'd go for Ben & Jerry's 'The Tonight Dough' - and get some extra spoons. Don't bother with bowls, you won't be washing up tonight – it's all about ya gals.
Pick your poison
The type of emergency will determine the evening's drink of choice. If you're fine to keep it classy, some sauvignon blanc works well. A bit sassy? Enjoy some prosecco. Feeling like you need to dance your woes away? Mojitos all the way. Don't forget to give the mint a 'spank'... At least, that's what Jamie Oliver says.
Dancing
If you're not crying and laughing and dancing all at once, is it even girls' night? Go for a classic, something that demands some shimmying or a good old step-clap combo. My go-to is 'Untouched' by The Veronicas. Because obviously.
Pizza is perfect for the true emergency girls' night, you know?
Your friend needs you, so don't waste time cooking when you could be sitting with her and berating her ex-boyfriends bland taste in polo shirts instead. Order some pizza and pick it up on the way to her house. We're living for the Vegan Margherita at the moment.
An open mind
Chances are, if this is a true emergency, someone's going to be sad or hurt or frustrated. But when work gets hard or someone's being ghosted, sometimes you just need your girls to rally around and listen. Take a cue from Destiny's Child. "We your girls, don't you know that we love you?". Embrace the girl gang. You've got each other's backs.
'Hold' is Auslan Integrated, fully captioned, is partially audio described, and both performances are presented in Relaxed Performance form. It plays Brisbane’s Roundhouse Theatre on 26-27 April.
