High Steaks, New Diorama Theatre Review
Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.
This piece contains haze, full frontal nudity, strong language, handling & cooking raw meat, discussion of genital surgery and self-harm, and depictions of real mother-daughter relationships.
London off-west end theatre is filled with theatre that explores, examines, attacks, bends and subverts the “rules” of society and life as we know it. High Steaks is a masterful one woman performance of all of the above, led by the magnificent Eloina.
With cuttings of raw meat suspended around a surgical table and a fully naked performer (although this is prefaced by an unusual accordion performance) you will find the outside world suspended as you see the show unfold. This production is the most unique I have ever seen in London. It discusses and explores the rise in labiaplasty surgery and how labia are perceived. At 70 minutes running time, you might be forgiven if think that this show won’t get much chance to go into depth. However, the show delights in subverting this and discusses important issues such as the lack of depiction of different types, especially across different ethnicities and in medical textbooks, and the rise of the adult film industry dictating and presenting only a type that is “aesthetically pleasing”. This show also carefully explores the impact of body dysmorphia as Eloina also explains her own personal worries and negative comments about her own labia as she reached puberty and her own worries about whether or not to undergo the surgery.
Eloina’s energy is mercurial and unpredictable. You don’t know when she will be serious or hilarious and that adds another level of intriguing discovery in this show. However, my strongest impression is that of solidarity and friendship. It was especially touching to see Eloina’s mother both help create and be involved in the show at key points. The theme of solidarity and support of maternal family members through history was clearly shown and done in a fresh perspective. This support is not only to cis women as the show has audio clips of trans and non binary individuals and also includes the voices of sex workers as well. Eloina’s message of inclusion and acceptance for all was fabulous to behold.
Whatever your genitalia, this show provides an important part of the discussion on women’s health and how to combat body dysmorphia. It is informative, and comedic but also provides a safe space to have a discussion about this with frankness and respectful acceptance. Go and see this show for its message of respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the body in all forms needs to be heard by all.
High Steaks is running at the New Diorama Theatre until 23rd March
★ ★ ★ ★
