Iron Fantasy at Soho Theatre (Upstairs), written and devised by Shamira Turner and Eugénie Pastor, is a dynamic and inventive production. The story centres on the two women as they strive to become stronger, both physically and emotionally, while developing their creative “baby”, the show itself.
Iron Fantasy, through visuals, sounds, and comic dramatic poetry, reveals Turner and Pastor’s journey towards the so‑called “fantasy” of becoming stronger women. They initially value physical strength, muscles, and weight, but as the story unfolds, they come to understand that true strength is about endurance and perseverance.
The two performers hold the stage charismatically, unraveling their personal stories in a creative and entertaining way. They invite the audience to join their journey, as if we’re all riding one big horse through the forest, discovering together the strength and traumas these women carry within them.
Iron Fantasy is not a conventional play, it is devised performance art, making the audience an integral part of the experience. A play can exist without an audience; performance art cannot. These two women know this, and they hold the audience dearly in their hearts.
It is a show for everyone: regular theatregoers, and people who don’t normally attend the theatre. I would love to see non‑theatregoers watch this show and realise that theatre isn’t always polished or distant, it can also be provocative, funny, enriching, and haunting.
The performance takes place in a small, crowded space, but the cast utilises it exceptionally well. The intentionally unpolished lighting swiftly transforms the stage into a variety of distinct spaces and moods. Dramaturgically, the show follows a clear narrative thread, sometimes abruptly disrupted to keep the audience engaged and on edge.
The music is lively and incredibly cathartic. By the end, it feels intentionally raw, fitting the show’s concept, though a little more refinement might have benefited the drastic tonal shifts.
Finally, the marvellous, strong women who carry this show almost entirely on their own (aside from a technician for the lighting and haze machine) are working exceptionally hard. They operate the music, wardrobe, and stagecraft themselves, and it is mesmerising to watch them interact. There’s a lovely simplicity and trust between them, and at times, it feels like we’re privileged to be their third friend.
Iron Fantasy is a powerhouse, for women, men, everyday people, and experienced theatregoers alike. It tells the story of two incredibly strong women who, despite their upbringings and experiences as modern women, choose to be strong, forge their iron shields, and live their Iron Fantasy.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
