👹 MONSTER by Florian Wild
On Tuesday the state I grew up in banned puberty blockers and hormones for trans kids. To put it kindly, this is a short-sighted and inequitable decision unsupported by medical evidence. To tell it truthfully, Queensland's health minister Tim Nicholls will have blood on his hands.
On Wednesday I went to Chapel off Chapel to see MONSTER, an hour-long cabaret from Florian Wild. Florian is a trans man, a drag queen, and a high school teacher. Sometimes ordinary, sometimes a monster. Depends who you ask.
In an interview with Binge Fringe, Florian speaks about the attitudes prevalent around them when they were growing up.
The overarching response to Trans people was one that change is to be feared because it is an unknown, rather than celebrated for what it is, an exploration that allows you to know yourself better, and live a life that honours who you are.
The tragedy is that the world that they've grown up into, the one that you and I live in, is one in which those attitudes haven't gone away. Trans people are still under attack every single day. And why? For what? Because of fear? Florian knows a thing or two about fear.
MONSTER is Florian pulling apart fear, becoming and ripping apart the monsters inside us. He reflects on the fear which held him back from transitioning, and identifies it as the same fear used to deny trans people personhood. Monsters fear monsters, it seems.
At the same time, Florian offers an alternative story of god's calling—a divine invitation to worship at the altar of transgenderism. Nestled amongst his delightful quips and gags is a profound reparative reading on faith, prayer, and divinity. As Florian explains, it was a holy voice speaking to him which let him know he was trans.
It's a lofty thematic exhumation which is supported by a delightfully eclectic mix of alternative songs (I really was not expecting to see an Evelyn Evelyn cover). Florian's chameleon-like vocals are spellbinding, and his stage presence is... something else entirely; as much goofball as succubus. It's entirely enchanting.
So too is the relationship Florian builds with the audience, teasing the cis folk, embracing the trans folk, serenading an audience member only to turn them into a human mic stand. It's joyous and it's silly and a cathartic reprieve from the world outside.
In MONSTER, Florian is asking why trans lives aren't allowed to be boring ordinary lives, why people like Posie Parker insist on weaving tales which cast trans folk as devils rather boring adult high school teachers.
It's a big question with a simple answer. And for those willing to listen, you'd do well to spend a night away from your sleep paralysis monsters, and listen to a sensual songbird instead.
Disclosure: I was invited to review MONSTER by the producer and offered complimentary tickets to attend.