Technology/the internet have brought the world some incredible things. On the flipside, they've also been the catalyst for some pretty awful moments in recent history and given people the chance to voice their opinion on practically everything – good and not so good.
It's this which is at the centre of 'Seven Methods Of Killing Kylie Jenner' – a show which puts identity, race, cultural appropriation and the commodification of Black culture under a microscope.
A two-hander starring Moreblessing Maturure as Cleo and Iolanthe as Kara, 'Seven Methods' follows two Black women who discover they're on two sides of a particularly divisive conversation – a conversation stemming from Forbes Magazine's title for social media personality Kylie Jenner as a 'self-made billionaire’.
The play is a balancing act and seems to cleverly and subtly bring the audience into the conversation, asking 'where do you stand?'. The two friends watch as the internet unravels before them. Cleo and Kara find themselves delving deep into the history of the appropriation and commodification of their culture, all the while inadvertently creating an atmosphere for thought among the audience.
Screens above the sparse stage design are used well to display the Twitter user interface and the many voices weighing in on the discussion. The pair acting out reaction GIFs was particularly entertaining and a comedic break amidst a pretty powerful and heavy production.
Acronyms and abbreviations from the digital age run rampant in this script and, while effective for a younger crowd, this may go over the heads of a lot of the older generation. Either way, brush up on your WYDs, S2Gs, TBHs, AFs and GTFOs! Though it painted the picture of the language of the Twittersphere, the play may have been stronger – and more compatible for a wider audience – with less of these. 'Seven Methods' teaches many lessons and opens many points of discussion for the infamously destructive Twitter generation at large, but it could also be impactful for the 'boomers' of the world who could do with a lesson or two in understanding the damages of appropriation and the like.
Moreblessing and Iolanthe each present memorable performances as two best friends with a long history. Their communication and delivery is captivating, and the play, separated into each of the 'Seven Methods', moves along smoothly as things are unpacked and tension builds. There's plenty of light moments throughout, but it's the deeper and more profound instances of 'Seven Methods' which really leave a mark here.
'Seven Methods Of Killing Kylie Jenner' leaves one wondering just how much of what we see, hear and experience in day-to-day life originates from Black culture – the answer is, practically everything, and this is put on full display throughout a production which inspires conversation and confronts hard – but necessary – truths.
'Seven Methods Of Killing Kylie Jenner' is on at Brisbane's La Boite Theatre until 19 March.
