Monster - MFF
- Oct 6, 2023
- 2 min read
Florian Wild is a ferocious and feisty diva. Monster is a rollercoaster of a ride through queer pop culture, littered with personal anecdotes and some rather raunchy romps.
50 minutes of giggles and gags, this show is a dazzling highlight of the Fringe. Florian is cheeky and makes many, many valid points about the nonsense that is modern society. From the beginning the audience is immediately onside - perhaps assisted by the 10pm start time, often accompanied by many a foyer beverage prior. Florian's costume is simply stunning - a kind of cross between the Columbia Pictures woman and Pennywise the Clown, complete with some absolutely stunning footwear.
The show weaves seamlessly between topics, with some marked by very sharp and witty sudden changes of plot direction. Not once does it falter or tire and Florian's fantastic command of the stage is nothing but entertaining. The comedic moments are interjected by some absolute raw and sobering facts of reality when it comes to the way the general population responds to the trans community, but somehow Florian has balanced this in a way that never feels preachy. Florian is to be thoroughly commended for their ability to swing from skilful showmanship, to stripped down vulnerability and back again, with such poise.
Oliver Ayres is a delightful addition to the show, accompanying Florian on piano for a handful of numbers (the "Where is my sister?" segment is a particular highlight), as well as just being a genuine lovely presence on the stage.
Monster is a great way to finish off your night of Fringe, you will leave feeling great and at the same time, have much food for thought to chat about on the way home. To quote the great Clopin: "What makes a monster, and what makes a man?".
Monster is playing as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2023 at The Butterfly Club until October 8. Tickets and further information can be found here.
Photography: Shan Dante