Emma Sandall at Sydney Fringe

Childless Cat Lady, Emma Sandall, Sings & Dances Her Way Into Enlightenment with An Ambivalent Woman of 37

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Just as US presidential candidate Kamala Harris faces down misogynistic abuse from her rivals (“Childless Cat Lady”), multi-award-winning Australian dancer and choreographer Emma Sandall brings her timely new cabaret show - on this very theme - to Sydney Fringe.

An Ambivalent Woman of 37, based on Sheila Heti’s bestselling book Motherhood is a kaleidoscopic, multimedia journey into the heart of a woman’s struggle to make that mother of all decisions: whether or not to have a child.

With dance, video, dialogue and original music by Elana Kats-Chernin, Emma takes her audience on a sometimes absurdist, often darkly comic and always deeply compassionate ride.

In this extraordinary collaboration with iconic Australian composer Kats-Chernin and pianist Yanghee Kim, An Ambivalent Woman of 37 explores the moral, social and psychological pressures unique to this dilemma… along with the many confronting technological innovations that make such a decision even more fraught!

It’s a thrilling collision of animation, music and choreography that draws its inspiration from Monty Python and the golden era of silent film. Along the way, Emma challenges the idea of female fulfilment and sacrifice - and who gets to define it.

“There are few decisions more subject to the opinions and judgements of others and An Ambivalent Woman responds to them all,” says Emma. “I reckon this is required viewing for all women & girls—in fact any and all genders for that matter, yep menfolk and boyfolk too—for this is a dilemma allkind ought to know and think a little more about.”

An Ambivalent Woman of 37

Created and performed by Emma Sandall

With Yanghee Kim | Original music by Elena Kats-Chernin

Nightly Tues 10 to Sat 14 September at 7pm

Flight Path Theatre as part of Sydney Fringe Festival 2024.

Tickets: $31.50 to $48. NB Language and Adult themes!

Bookings: https://sydneyfringe.com/events/an-ambivalent-woman-of-37