Rebecca Massey, an award-winning actress known for her roles in Utopia and Prima Facie, stars in the audacious and hilarious show 44 Sex Acts in One Week at the Edinburgh Fringe. In this exclusive interview, Massey delves into the creative process behind this fruity apocalyptic rom-com and its unique take on intergenerational feminism and the climate crisis.
44 Sex Acts in One Week, written by Fringe First winner David Finnigan, follows journalist Celina as she embarks on a wild journey to complete 44 different sex acts in one week, with her nemesis Alab Delusa as her partner. The show combines sharp wit, foley effects, and a subversive take on a classic radio play to create an unforgettable theatrical experience.
Don’t miss 44 Sex Acts in One Week at Pleasance Dome (King Dome) from August 1 to August 26, 2024 (excluding August 12 and 19). Book your tickets now.
You’re bringing the provocative comedy 44 Sex Acts in One Week to the Edinburgh Fringe. What can you tell us about this production?
Some of Australia’s naughtiest clowns get busy on microphones and fruit in our slippery and subversive take on a classic radio play.
Celina is a journalist stuck writing clickbait for a lifestyle blog. It falls to her to road test a new book, The 44 Sex Acts that Will Change your Life. All she has to do is experience 44 different kinds of sex, across the full spectrum of kink by Friday. Problem is: she needs a partner. And the only person available is her nemesis, brooding animal activist/office mail boy Alab Delusa. Sworn enemies, they now have one week to explore the endlessly undulating terrain of sex, from BDSM to role-play, from polyamory to exhibitionism.
Long story short, it’s an apocalyptic rom com: girl meets boy, girl hates boy, girl f**ks boy 44 times, the world collapses.
We were the hit of the Sydney Festival, and the Brisbane Comedy Festival, and we can’t wait to see you in Edinburgh.
The show explores themes of intergenerational feminism and the climate crisis through the lens of a very intimate challenge. What excites you about tackling these subjects through such an audacious premise?
God I love your questions. Yes! Hell yes! Who wants a lecture?
At Club House, our mission is seriously good times in the theatre – so all the work we make is designed to provoke delightfully and playfully.
In terms of inter-generational feminism, the sexual playground has always been an excellent opening for discussions of power and submission.
In terms of environmental challenge facing us – the scale is almost incomprehensible. Perhaps the only way we can hold it in our heads is together in a dark theatre, wetting ourselves laughing as we watch someone rut away at a cantaloupe melon with a banana?
As one of Australia’s most acclaimed comedic actors, what has the experience been like working on such an outrageous and boundary-pushing piece of theatre?
Heaven. I’m working with some seriously funny actors who make it their mission to disrupt. Plus, the creative team on this are my HEROS in naughty clever stupidity.
You’ll be using creative foley effects and audience imagination rather than explicit staging. Can you give us a sense of how this auditory approach enhances the storytelling?
Initially this was a solution to the icky problem of putting sex on stage. As an audience there’s rarely anything less sexy than watching actors pretend to pleasure each other. But when fruit is miked and tended to in just the right way, a melon can makes a deliciously similar sound to sex, and is a much more playful and juicy visual.
You developed this production alongside fellow comedian Sheridan Harbridge. How has that collaborative process been in bringing such an ambitious concept to life?
Sheridan and I met acting in another brilliant David Finnigan play (“Kill Climate Deniers”) and fell in love. Sheridan is a proper genius and I just try and take credit for every brilliant idea she has.
What would you say to audience members who may be intrigued but uncertain about booking tickets for 44 Sex Acts in One Week?
I’d say, be intrigued! And come! The writing is razor sharp (much better than that shocking pun I just attempted), reviewers have said nice things about the performances and theatrical spectacle, that it’s profound, innovative, subversive blah blah.
But, in the words of my character, Malaine Guttierez (sex coach and author of “The 44 Sex Acts That Will Change Your Life”) says, “Grip life by your clunge and do not let go”. Life’s way too short not to pop along for some afternoon delight at 4.40 pm at the King Dome to see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Come. Really. Come multiple times. You’ll want to come. [I’ll stop now]
