A vulgar, vivacious cabaret, When the Sex Has Gone is the story of two personalities inhabiting the one hermaphroditic body: Charlie, a fabulously foul-mouthed stripper who describes her multi-gendered body as something Picasso might have painted in his abstract years; and Alastair, an aggressive young boxer (and the slightly less engaging of the two characters).
This unlikely individual is compellingly played by Tommy Bradson, a singer and performer with a voice like chilli chocolate – rich, dark and spicy – accompanied by Boris (composer Jacqueline Morton) on piano.
Through dramatic monologues and original songs such as ‘Blowjob for Breakfast’ and ‘It’s Lingerie’, Bradson guides us through Charlie/Alastair’s lurid world of lost love and tragedy. His dialogue was occasionally rushed (perhaps as a result of having to condense what was initially a much longer show to a more compact whole) and a noisy air conditioner sometimes drowned out the quieter moments, but Bradson is a compelling and confident talent who totally owned the stage. A brilliant show, though not for the easily offended.
Four stars
Tommy Bradson - When the Sex is Gone
At the Butterfly Club, South Melbourne until April 17
Thu-Sat 10.30pm
$18 - $22
This review originally appeared in The Age on Tuesday April 6.
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