You’ve all heard of Madonna-whore, now get ready for NUN SLUT.
Australian comedian Claire Robin’s one-woman bodily exploration of Catholicism is an undeniable must-see at this year’s Fringe.
The show combines clowning, sketch comedy, and cabaret, with Robin truly testing the boundaries of each of these mediums to take her audience on an outrageous excursion through youth group, church, communion — ultimately in search for a place of sexual liberation within organised religion.
Robin’s physical comedy is masterful, particularly in her facial expressions. There were times the comedian was able to arouse howling laughter through a single frown, or through her signature Kubrik stare. She effortlessly commits every muscle for the purpose of the comedy, and this commitment never fails her. The titular nun character, who the audience spends the most time with, is a tour the force of clowning, both delighting and intimidating everyone in the room. Aside from physicality Robin also uses an array of props, several of them being cleaning products of some kind as she engages in literally cleansing the stage and several members of the audience. She is also joined by one musician, Josh Cake who sits on the side of the audience and accompanies nearly all moments of the show with a Church organ simulated on a keyboard, the accompaniment is flawless and works fantastically in both aiding the purely physical bits and being worked into Robin’s punchlines.
Despite how silly this show gets, there is an obvious through-line connecting every bit to the show’s ultimate purpose. Robin takes time to explain her personal relationship to Catholicism both in character and as herself, and gives purpose to everything seen on stage. Despite being obviously based in Robin’s own beliefs, as an audience member I felt fully welcomed into every one of her portrayals. The show replicates recognisable elements of Catholic practice to give the audience a communal tour of Robin’s religious experiences. The best example of this is Robin’s physical interpretation of communion which I think is the show’s peak, as the body and spiritual practice are ultimately connected in a truly bizarre and yet perfect way.
NUN SLUT is a hilarious examination of a woman’s navigation between religion and sex and a prayer for liberation. In a world where it seems like we can either be nuns or sluts, Claire Robin has mastered being both. Amen.
Claire Robin: NUN SLUT is running until 31 August at Blether at Gilded Balloon Patter House. Buy tickets here.
Image Credit — Image Construction, provided to The Student through the Airtable database for press use.
