The most important thing to note about this show is that -despite it’s intimate subject matter – it is not a show for women. This is a show for anyone who enjoys fun. The entire opening night audience – roughly half men and half women was laughing uncontrollably. As I looked around the crowded room, there was not a single face that was not engaged and on board with whatever Arman would serve us next. One man nearly fell off his chair he was laughing so hard.
So do not be put off by the subject matter of the show. Loani Arman’s Period is for anyone with a sense of humour and a sense of joy.
Loani Arman performs in a tiny space atop the North Melbourne Courthouse. Her sold out opening night is an indication that she could have benefited from a larger space, but she plays the tiny room to fantastic comic effect. The stage is right in the doorway and Loani greets each of her audience members as they enter, chats affably to them and helps them find their seat. This sets the tone of the warm, intimate, playful comedy for the rest of the show.
As the last guests take their seats, ​she jokes, ‘It’s like my bedroom in here’ and this, too, sets the scene. Arman shares herself with her audience as if we were all her close friends sitting in her bedroom watching her performance. Hers is a wild, mischievous and fearless comedy.
The show deals almost entirely with menstruation and a few other bodily functions with a very brief interlude into grammar (after all periods are a form of punctuation).​ The jokes are often confronting and controversial in subject matter but she delivers them with such glee and confidence and sweetness that it is easy and comfortable to laugh at some very uncomfortable things.
Arman manages to celebrate periods while simultaneously acknowledging how unpleasant and uncomfortable they are on every conceivable level. She uses a curious mix of autobiographical anecdotes such as her period origin story, and absurd psychodrama such as the tragic tale of her toilet paper pad. She also uses a lot of physical comedy – which is quite impressive given her tiny stage – and her facial expressions are one of the most captivating parts of the show. She also dabbles in satire as she deconstructs sanitary napkin advertisements and their use of translucent blue water to simulate menstrual blood to hilarious effect.
Arman also riffs on her tiny room. The total lack of technical staff and low fi production quality turns into a cute running joke about her imaginary tech guy while she was actually doing the lights herself. Audience members are seduced into helping her and supporting her illusion – such is the power of this performer.
A joyous, captivating and infectious personality carry the challenging subject matter delivering a wonderful experience for all, regardless of gender.
Loani Arman: Period
Courthouse Hotel – The Dock
Cnr Errol & Queensberry St
North Melbourne
Saturday 26 September to Sunday 4 October
Written and performed by Loani Arman
Directed by Emma Dockery
