Seven Times Me is, like Kat herself, full of life and bursting with personality. Kat binds together humorous childhood tales with darker stories of domestic abuse and racism. Though the show moves through the various stages of Kat’s life, it centres mainly on her childhood and as she relates the stories of her upbringing with a real energy and warmth affection. I don’t know how many dramatised accounts of a teenage girl learning to use a tampon have been staged, but I doubt any would have the audience break into such laughter as this one.
Even the darker side of Kat’s childhood is told with humour, her impersonation of her stepfather is comical but never missing the obvious fear this man invoked in both her and in her family. When she recounts an incident when she is publicly humiliated by her stepfather and loses a friend as a result, the sense of innocence lost is particularly poignant. The feeling of relief when she conveys the moment her stepfather left are felt by the whole audience. The shows strength comes from Kat’s ability to invoke empathy from her audience and a genuine desire to hear more about her life.
A combination of dance, poetry and narrative seamlessly bind together Kat’s story. Poetry is particularly well used, slipping through the narrative to punctuate the poignant moments of the show. Kat uses her former dance training to full affect, and the bursts of dance are as affectively used as the bursts of poetry. None of the various methods are used indulgently, always in the aid of telling her story and connecting with her audience. The visual affects are at times clumsy but generally used well to create humour during the moments of Kat’s romantic heartbreaks and quiet relief after the powerful re-enactment of her violent treatment at the hands of the police.
This final tale, Kat’s account of police brutality is extremely powerful and well-handled. The build up is intense, the violent and shocking outcome even more so. She lays herself bare to the audience, allowing them to view her vulnerability and raw emotional response to this horrific incident. However dark this story may be, it ends on a note of positivity and hopefulness. Kat refuses to be victim or let herself be consumed by bitterness for the tragedy that has occurred in her life. This message comes across loud and clear in this show.
Filling the stage with charisma and an infectious humour; it’s easy to be immersed in Kat Francois’s world. From the moment she opens the show chanting the names of her brothers and sisters, to the ends dramatic climax the audience journey with Kat, and leave feeling like they’ve made a new friend.
Reviewer: Amy Organ
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