The Rambling Feminist

“Time bends” as Shona Anderson takes you on a journey through her memories scattered across time and space. She explores different attitudes she has encountered towards gender roles, race and religion.

“The show is inspired by and is sort of a theatrical memoir of my travels and in particular a cycle trip I took with my then partner in 2014. We spent several months in the Balkans,” explains Shona.

“Being in places that had formerly been dictatorships really had an impact on me, in the both positive and negative ways socialist or communist regimes impact people.”

This is a one-woman show in every way. Shona Anderson wrote, directed, produced and performed this show all on her own. Her talent is evident in her poetic dialogue, the familiar songs sweetly sung and her ability to transform into the character Borka for comic relief.

“This is the first one woman show that I've written, but I have been writing prose for a long time. I also have a background in theatre with acting and directing, but this venture is something different for me.”

“It follows the trajectory of my relationship which has now ended and so I felt very inspired to explore the concept of love and freedom on the micro and macro sense. Especially in the current political climate we find our world heading in to.”

Shona tells a story that is very personal, but also easily relatable. Her global travels, through heartache and disappointment, ultimately brought her to a place of greater self-awareness.

“The people I want to reach are people who see themselves as being on the left but maybe haven't examined their privilege that much or haven't seen outside their own world a lot” Shona reflects.

Perhaps the reason it’s so relatable is because she’s written it for people similar to herself.

“The way I think of myself is like being a pebble being dropped into a pond. I see my audience as being the people who would be in the first two or three rings in the water that get stirred up by the pebble hitting the water. Close to who I am but not in the same place. But not the far out rings because you can't reach that far that quick.”

The show’s title almost does it a disservice; Shona doesn’t ramble at all. The show is full of vivid metaphors and enthralling accounts of her adventures. I was inspired to do things I never thought I’d do. After hearing Shona’s description of skinny dipping, I felt the need to visit a nude beach!

The Butterfly Club is an experience in itself. This was my first visit to Melbourne’s famed cabaret theatre. Established almost 20 years ago, it has built a reputation for featuring up-and-coming performers before they reach fame. It also boasts a line-up of up to five shows a night, six nights a week. The space is filled with comfy chairs and a fascinating collection of kitsch objects. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay there forever, in a drunken stupor, mesmerised by the performers.

Shona’s show works well in this space. As she recounts some of her most intimate memories, you feel just as exposed in the audience. There’s no hiding from her gaze in the small downstairs theatrette. It creates an environment of mutual respect, inviting you to reflect on your own journey as you witness Shona’s. You can get cosy, sip a cocktail, and get lost in time.

Sophia Dickinson