REVIEW: EDGING — Queer narratives on borders, culture and belonging
EDGING is a new collaboration between APHIDS’ Lara Thoms and artists Sammaneh Pourshafighi and Eden Falk. Presented at Arts House from 27 November - 1 December 2024.
Created by: APHIDS
Lead artist and Director: Lara Thoms
Performers and Co-creators: Sammaneh Pourshafihgi and Eden Falk
Dramaturg: Samara Hersch
Consultant: Negar Rezvani
Sound Design: Tilman Robinson
Video and Systems Design: d duàn
Co Set and Costume Design: Kate Baxter (KB) and Lara Thoms
Lighting: Jenny Hector
Review by Jodi Kashani
Sammaneh Pourshafihgi in EDGING. Photo by Bryony Jackson.
EDGING is a performance piece created in collaboration by APHIDS’ Lara Thoms and artists Sammaneh Pourshafighi and Eden Falk. A powerful show spotlighting the intersections of popular culture, border control, and queerness, APHIDS is a local theatre-based organisation acting as an experimental platform. Led by artists, APHIDS provides space to create art and amplify unheard stories— creating urgent art for urgent times— with this latest collaboration with Sammaneh Pourshafighi and Eden Falk reflecting on pressing social issues.
As noted in a recent interview with Lara and Sammaneh, the intention behind this ingenious piece is driven by the border policies affecting refugees, particular queer refugees coming to Australia. EDGING blends personal narratives with larger cultural commentaries, exploring how queer communities suffer under sociopolitical decisions made by the Australian government. It examines the challenges queer refugees face in obtaining asylum and highlights the harmful implication of policies that threaten individual freedoms.
EDGING is a bold, boundary-pushing performance that invites reflection on systemic racism and social deprivation. It narrates the struggles of individuals seeking asylum in Australia due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, revealing the dehumanising processes of border control policies. It critiques the Australian government’s refugee system, which demands queer asylum seekers validate their identities through Western pop culture references. What makes this plot so captivating is the deeply personal nature of the actors' narratives. While it boldly challenges significant social norms, it also captures the humanity and despair of the modern world.
Although the play’s themes encompass layers of despair, ethical dilemmas, vulnerability, and oppression, the piece narrates these with an exhilarating touch that often brings smiles to the audience’s lips. From subtle comedic performances to the reconstruction of the airport interrogation room where the central story unfolds—even the presence of a small fluffy dog—these elements reflect the Thoms’ meticulous attention to detail. This performance entertains without minimising the pain at its core.
One of the most extraordinary aspects of this performance is the acting. Sammaneh Pourshafighi and Eden Falk come together in a harmony of power and joy, layered with honest vulnerability. Their interactions raise confronting questions for the audience, prompting reflection on how queerness, politics, and culture are positioned within systems of power. Sammaneh’s performance is imbued with the beauty of their personal story, recounting their journey to Australia as refugees in the 1980s. They reflect on a time when the refugee status process was evolving but has since become increasingly restrictive. Despite the heartbreaking memories they share, Sammaneh’s acting exudes an extraordinary sense of humour, bringing a dynamic energy to the performance.
Eden Falk offers a generous performance, allowing the audience glimpses into his personal reflections, confessing moments of ignorance and the decisions he made throughout his life. When Sammaneh presents him with moral dilemmas, his vulnerability is evident, underscoring his mastery as an actor.
As an audience member, I was captivated by the complex intersections of queerness, culture, and power—how bodies, as carriers of nationality, gender, and sexual orientation, embody these layered structures. That a 60-minute performance, blending comedy and deep emotional resonance, can so profoundly explore how lived experiences shape our political and social realities is a testament to its brilliance. EDGING is an extraordinary collaboration by exceptional artists who tell a story that is rarely heard. It authentically portrays the struggles of marginalised groups, using a powerful and challenging language to critique political and social structures.
This review is part of MAV’s initiative to foster culturally responsive theatre criticism, amplifying diverse voices and perspectives in the arts. By inviting writers, storytellers and artists to review the works of fellow creatives through the lens of shared lived, or cultural experiences, we aim to highlight the importance of theatre reviews that challenge dominant narratives and provide deeper, culturally grounded perspectives.
