What do Barbie, Taylor Swift and the Matilda’s have in common? Girl Culture.
Whilst sacrilegiously completing a crossword puzzle in PEN on a shared newspaper in a café, Alex spots a page 18 article on girl culture. And “What exactly IS girl culture”, do you ask? This question was posed to Alex Hines that very morning, and she now aims to answer it in her show – Girl Culture: a thoroughly fascinating 60-minute multimedia theatrical extravaganza.
Alex begins the show by explaining what she believes that Girl Culture entails. This is told through a musical number, supported with choreography and a lyric video. Utilising call and response throughout the number, Alex intuitively assesses her audience’s energy and responsiveness for the night and then tests how far that she can go. With an enthusiastic sold-out crowd in front of her, which ultimately led to an unexpected Pauline Hanson gag that the Melbourne audience both equally booed and laughed for.
This was the first of many musical numbers of the night, including but not limited to, a dedication to the legendary member of LMFAO; the Red Foo (of ‘Sexy and I Know It’ fame), a sultry performance from a sparkling Diet Coke, and an incredible operatic lip-sync finale that may leave your head rolling *wink-wink*.
Alex‘s show reflects what any manic ADHD girlie (as one myself) telling a story would entail: a singular plot point, and several offside tangents that may, or may not, bring you back to the conclusion that you were heading towards originally. Either way, you’re in for a laugh and a ride with topics covered including feminism, therapy; or therapy adjacent options like that spider that lives on your ceiling or Shen Yun the classic Chinese dance company and being named after a head in a microwave.
The clever use of multi-media digital videos and excellent lighting allow for an impressive amount of costume and scene changes in this fearless 60 minute-one woman show. Though not always the smoothest in transition, Alex‘s quick wit, characterisation and professionalism in each scene that she delivers truly draws you in and holds your attention. The costuming alone deserves great praise, especially considering the show’s minimalistic back drop, the costumes really set the scene. Peter the Spider and Alex’s finale outfit were real standouts for me, and these were no small feats to pull off.
Smart, entertaining, fun, chaotic and captivating, Alex Hines’ Girl Culture is a great amalgamation of elements. Through humour, song, dance, sketches, video and hilariously honest anecdotal stories, Girl Culture literally and figuratively takes you on the most camp Windows 95 rollercoaster ride of your life.
Alex Hines’ Girl Culture is currently playing at Malthouse Theatre‘s Tower, as part of the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, until April 20th.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/alex-hines-girl-culture
https://alex-hines.com
https://www.instagram.com/alex.hines___
Photography supplied.