Nun Slut opens with a pre-recorded announcement from Robin, recounting a visit to a convent earlier that day, where she shared the show’s premise with a nun. “She said she’s praying for us all tonight!” Robin joyfully proclaims.
And with that, the Erskineville Town Hall was blessed, and the blasphemy could begin.
There are two important things to note before going to see Nun Slut. First, audience participation is a big part of the show— if you’re not up for joining in, this might not be your vibe. Second, yes, there’s nudity. Both of these warnings are listed in the “performance notes” on the Fringe Festival Nun Slut page, but I figured they were worth repeating, especially since a few bewildered audience members may have missed the memo.
There are three main characters in Nun Slut, the first is the titular Nun, the second is an American Christian youth group leader (a “Jesus Bro”), and the third is a GetUp activist from Armidale, who finds a strange comfort in Barnaby Joyce.
The Nun relies on physical comedy and the audience’s willing participation, and on opening night, both of these aspects landed perfectly. Robin’s face is a masterclass in expression, and when it comes to faking an orgasm, she takes it to gloriously absurd heights. Her titular character gets aroused by some strange things, from a portrait of Jesus to an audience member stroking a brush (as in dustpan and brush) across her body.
I didn’t always know what was going on, with some absurdist elements going over my head, but I still couldn’t stop laughing.
The Youth Group leader was well-received after a long round of silent but suggestive sexual brushing. The over-the-top Americanised “Jesus Bro” kept insisting on just how cool Youth Group is.
The audience is cast as a Year 9 class, and under his guidance, we’re taught how to purge ourselves of sinful sexual urges. I won’t spoil it, but there was a lot of thrusting from both Jesus Bro and audience members.
The Armidale GetUp activist is the final character who features in this production. Once protesting Barnaby Joyce in his electorate of New England, the activist feels a sense of solidarity with him. Especially after he left his wife and four daughters for a former staffer.
Never did I think I’d be sitting in an audience chanting “We are all Barnaby Joyce!” with a group of strangers. That’s Fringe Festival for you. Robin completely nails the satire here, and the audience was in stitches.
The titular Nun Slut then returns for a bold finale, the climax of the show (if you pardon the pun). Think a revealing singalong cabaret moment that had everyone clapping to the beat and cheering.
A filthy Mr Bean
For anyone who’s experienced even a hint of religious guilt or been told to suppress their sexuality in the name of faith, this show offers a cathartic release. And even if you have no connection to religion, it’s hilarious. Robin, in an absurdist way, brings themes of religion, hypocrisy and temptation to the table, in a superbly witty but also strangely empowering manner.
My friend, who joined me for the Nun Slut ride, nailed it when she called Robin’s nun a “filthy Mr Bean”. It’s the perfect way to sum up how she had us laughing uncontrollably, all without uttering a single word.
And a round of applause for the opening night audience, who also absolutely delivered. Everyone was up for the ride, even when the participation tipped into truly embarrassing (and even gross) territory. It’s the kind of show that lives or dies by the crowd, and thankfully, this one was all in.
Some might find the show wildly offensive, but I think that the name Nun Slut serves as the perfect filter, ensuring that anyone likely to be outraged doesn’t show up in the first place. With a show title like that, it’s safe to say that devout Catholics won’t be flocking to the front row.
I leave you with a final warning. The show is 18+, but that doesn’t mean it’s for every adult. Leave the religious relatives, the easily scandalised and the nudity-averse at home.
Nun Slut
Where: Fringe on The Rocks, 6-8 Atherden St, Level 1.
When: September 23- October 4.
Price: Tickets are $45.
