Uneasy Dreams and Other Things

There is a generally accepted thought in the UK: If you want a cultural trip, New Zealand is not the place to come. But Lori Leigh’s play, performed at the Circa Theatre in Wellington, has shattered this assumption. And she’s shattered it with a foam penis.

Leigh has produced a genuine masterpiece, ‘Uneasy Dreams and Other Things’, based on Kafka’s The Metamorphosis but with a feminist twist. Worn down by her sexist boss and soul-degrading job at ‘Media Monsters’, the protagonist Sam wakes up one morning with a penis. As she starts to deal with this transformation, Sam begins a journey towards living in a state of “becoming” – as herself and in the moment.

This play touches on some of the most important social issues of the present: gender, sexuality, and mental health – particularly the psychological damage caused by the media. The surreal story and poetical script bring these issues into the realm of fantasy. But the authentic characters keep it grounded. Through the ways in which the characters deal with her transformation, the makings of the modern patriarchy are laid bare.

It is a play which asks us to look forwards. How do we define gender in the modern age? How can we live our lives imaginatively and as ourselves? Leigh approaches these philosophical questions through poetry and comedy. The characters deal with this bizarre event in such a human way; all are, at the same time, loveable, hateable and relatable. ‘Uneasy Dreams and Other Things’ is not only amazingly creative, in both script and production, but also hugely important.

So, although there may be parts of New Zealand which are socially “behind the times”, Wellington leads the fight against that. The ambitious art exhibitions in The City Gallery are another testament to this. My other best recommend would be The Lighthouse Cinema just off Cuba Street. It shows a range of blockbuster and arthouse films, and the seats are like sofas. Tuesdays are cheap days (NZ$11). About to dive into the wilderness of the South Island’s west coast, Wellington’s cultural gems are sure to be missed.