“We have been told that our silence will save us, but it won’t. So, we will make noise,” proclaims Busty Beatz during Hot Brown Honey – The Remix. This one-act presentation of hip hop-infused dance, singing, circus variety, and political commentary is a timely, important, and fun artistic work that celebrates feminism and uplifts BIPOC.
Produced by Australia’s Quiet Riot, Hot Brown Honey – The Remix, opened last night at the York Theatre, presented by The Cultch. This cabaret-style performance showcases seven performers with very diverse and distinct talents, all amassed under one cohesive and collective mission: To give voice to female-identifying people of colour as well as others whom have been silenced throughout history. And in alignment with the show’s cheekiness, also to “Decolonize and moisturize”.
As the title of the show implies, this is a “remix” or refreshed version of the original, which played at The Cultch in previous years. On tour from Australia, each of the individuals onstage – “The Honeys” – get to shine in their own way. Besides serving as the show’s writer and music director, Busty Beatz is also the show’s host, perched up high above the show’s neon light bulb adorned set, guiding us through the performance and keeping us entertained with her witty comments.
The cast of Hot Brown Honey - The Remix.
The show’s messages about “fucking the patriarchy”, “the revolution cannot happen without childcare”, and “celebrating the matriarchy” ring loud and clear. They are communicated through a wonderful variety of styles. For example, there are inventive group dance numbers, including one that draws inspiration from the 1920s-era showgirl feather fan dances. In Hot Brown Honey – The Remix, we see the performers dance with giant sunflower fans. The fans hide the performers until they reveal themselves in fun costumes, and there’s some great quick-change action that happens as well. All of this is quirky and entertaining.
At one point, Lilikoi Kaos (aka The Wave Maker) showcases her amazing hula-hooping skills. Trust me, Kaos is world-class, and I didn’t even realize there that hula-hooping could be so impressive until I watched her. Her solo number is out of the is world. She’s able to hula hoop multiple (I’m going to estimate at one point 16ish? Maybe even more?) hoops, around different body parts while multitasking. She strips off pieces of clothing, throws hoops to the side, has new ones thrown over top of her, and more without ever losing a beat. At one point, she even extends her left leg out in a high second position – leg completely straight, feet pointed as much as possible, while twirling a hoop around her foot/ankle (I don’t remember which exactly). Not only is this tremendously impressive for obvious reasons, but as most dancers favour their right leg, Kaos lifting doing this with her left leg makes it even more impressive. Kudos also to her cast mates who skilfully toss the hula hoops around her.
Lilikoi Kaos. Photo credit: Alan Moyle
Mayu Muto (aka The Gravity Defier) treats us to exquisite and, as her show name says, gravity-defying athletic artistry in her sky-high aerial silk work. Composed of strength, flexibility, musicality, and skillful technique, Muto’s number is stunningly beautiful. A trained dancer, who studied at the Royal Antwerp Dance school in Belgium, it was a pleasure watching Muto’s dancing and smiling face throughout the show.
Matehaere Hope Haami (aka Hope One) is the best beatboxer I’ve ever seen perform. Haami is witty, funny, personable, and also wins the audience over with flattery on top of all this. Alinta McGrady (aka Badass Mother) is a soulful singer, who adds a nice touch to the show. The show’s creator/writer/director Lisa Fa’alafi (aka The Game Changer) is also part of the action onstage, and has a solo section where she does a burlesque-style, Hawaiian-themed piece, which is entertaining.
Cast members performing sunflower fan choreography in Hot Brown Honey. Photo credit: Alan Moyle
Ghenoa Gela (aka The Ground Breaker) was my favourite cast member to watch in all of the group numbers. Her facial reactions to everything and interpretation of the choreography was so much fun to watch. There’s a penis-themed dance number in the show, and Gela’s facial reaction at one point was priceless!
What I enjoy most about the show, is that it takes very important messaging and presents it in a fun, unapologetic, bold, manner. I applaud the show’s advocacy for giving a voice to women and people of colour. I left the theatre feeling uplifted, and inspired by Busty Beatz’s parting words at the end of the show, which encouragingly informed us that it’s “time to shine”.
Hot Brown Honey – The Remix, a Quiet Riot production presented in Vancouver by The Cultch, runs until October 8 at the York Theatre. Visit The Cultch’s website for more information.