Sunday Arts Magazine

17 Oct 2022

T4T: A Transgender Showcase

Arts, Performing Arts, Sunday Arts Magazine, Visual Arts

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A new show is about to debut at the Melbourne Fringe
with a controversial premise – you can only watch the
show if you’re transgender. If you’re cisgender, then
they don’t want you to come.
“Obviously we’re not checking anyone’s birth certificates
or hormone levels at the door,” says the show’s creator
and host, Anna Piper Scott. “That kind of behaviour is
for cis people. We’re happy to use the honour system.”
So why are they banning cis people?
“I started hearing from fans that they couldn’t come to
my shows because they didn’t feel like they would be
safe or welcome. I thought I should flip that dynamic on
its head. An all trans lineup for an all trans audience. A
show where trans people get treated as a norm, and
where cis people feel like they’d have to hide who they
really are.”
Piper Scott teamed up with her producer Olly Lawrence to pull the show together, and as far as they can
tell, the show is the first of its kind. “It’s pretty incredible. We’ve pulled together over 25 trans performers
from drag, cabaret, burlesque, comedy, circus and more,” says Lawrence. “They’re all so excited to
perform just for trans people. Where they won’t have to stop and explain words that cis people don’t
know – words like cis”
Piper Scott and Lawrence say they are willing to bend the rules a little. “We’re happy for someone trans to
bring along a friend or a partner as an emotional support cis,” says Lawrence. “As long as you promise to
clean up after them! We don’t want any straight people coming in and making a mess,” adds Piper Scott
What do they say to the cisgender people who feel that a show like this is unfairly discriminatory? “Good.
Now you know how it feels.” says Piper Scott. “And hey, if you really want to come, I can refer you to my
doctor. If any show is worth transitioning for, it’s gonna be this one.”