(5 / 5)
Tik Tok and social media has taken over our lives. I’ve not escaped this, despite my “I don’t do insta” or “I’ll never go on Tik Tok”… trying to be cool, “old” and against the grain but I caved long ago. And owning it in embarrassment. More only as a voyeur and posting adventures.
Performance artist Louise Orwin takes this concept and runs the other way with it. As a known (at times) controversial artist (and trust when I say that with entire adoration), Orwin looks at her years of life while in her late 30’s and her choices, other’s choices and the world and asks – did she do all of this to be famous? And is it too late to still be famous?
She begins this as an obscure social experiment. Those who do use Tik Tok will instantly recognise the absurdity she conducts as the usual on this platform but others may think she has either lost her mind or doing some avant-garde performance. The former is felt by 800+ people at the time, as we realise she is live on Tik Tok and performing. Some actively say she needs help; some can’t believe what they are seeing; some think she’s an icon; some are blowing her cover and announcing it is a performance. This live, changeable interaction is likely new every night but also likely to be the same sentiments. When she does anything against the community rules of the app, she gets kicked off Tik Tok, all too soon. She was only licking a lollipop! But there’s jeopardy to this approach and anything could happen.
To the side of the stage is a pink haired person on a screen – Jax. Jax comes fom working with Orwin outside of the show and eventually, is her “guru” in all things gen z and Tik Tok. Jax has a huge following and the discourse of how this was achieved is discussed, touching upon how children are sexualised on the app and almost forced to grow up all too quickly. But is it for money? Not really. Recognition? Not really. Fame? Who knows. Orwin balances these thoughts between action on stage, on screens and with a written commentary noting projected at the back on forced performance, and uneasy feelings about her life on the web.
Orwin is frank and open, clear about the complexities in her head but also brings high-level physical theatre to the stage – all live to not only us but random people on an app – and interestingly, after getting kicked off and using another account, simply running on a treadmill racks those likes back up again. Tik Tok is now this bizarre world wide phenomenon that Orwin has been doing on stage for years. Is it competition? Will it make her famous?
With intense spoken word, the physicality and all the existential discussion around the topic, FAMEHUNGRY is entirely captivating. It is thought provoking, perfection and sheer brilliance. And is raising the important questions with no final conclusion at the end – because to go against the grain is to be left behind, but to go with it creates an uncomfortable feeling. What do they decide to do? Just to keep going. Because, what else is there?
