Reuben KayeWith his sharpened sword of a tongue pointed squarely at the likes of the Catholic Church and the Morrison Government, Reuben Kaye is taking no prisoners. There are no sacred cows in this abattoir, and the all-singing, all-dancing, all-savaging Kaye is the butch butcher from hell.
The story throughout Kaye’s performance is one of gender, sexuality, rejection and love - and one that will undoubtedly resonate with a huge portion of his demographic.
Growing up marginalised for his identity and ostracised by those he thought he could count on the most, the foul-mouth cabaret sensation teeters the seesaw of emotions like only he can. Reworking hits from the likes of The Cure and Stormzy, Kaye transforms Top 40 dancefloor fillers into sensationally introspective works of self discovery. Along with his incredible backing band, Kaye has soundtracked his story to utter perfection.
Kaye jokes throughout The Butch Is Back of the award-winning potential of his show, and in truth, he has every right to. The performer has worked tirelessly to create an immersive and completely engulfing theatre experience that transports his audience to another world. Those moments where he is recounting his childhood upbringing - peppered with his trademark devilish humour and caricaturesque depictions of his mother - are a perfect balance of heart-wrenching and hilarious. It’s an origin story that is both wholly unique and one that far too many have had to endure before and after him.
The Butch Is Back is well and truly deserving of the acclaim it has received so far. Expertly crafted, incredibly delivered and as thoughtful and inspiring as it is funny. It may very well be the best show of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for 2021.
