Tomboy (Chłopczyca) a dark but heartfelt exploration of vampire folklore, with teeth | Georgia Straight Vancouver’s source for arts, culture, and events

1 of 1 2 of 1 It might have been something-teen years since Twilight was the biggest media franchise in the world, but the sold-out world premiere of Tomboy (Chłopczyca) showed blood-sucking never really goes out of style. Co-directed by Oh Augustine, Joanna Garfinkel, and Anais Mateusz West, all of whom are of Slavic descent, the two-hour production—seen March 4, when it kicked off a four-day run at the Cultch—followed Aleks (Rae Takei, also known for their drag persona Rose Butch), a non-binary historian.Aleks is grappling with their gender expression, their faulty memory, and the supernatural violence a fellow Polish immigrant Konrad (Calder White) inflicted upon their friend Hania (Emily Jane King). The play heavily references upióry, vampires of Slavic folklore, as well as themes of religious trauma and an upbringing in Polish culture.Everything about the staging of Tomboy (Chłopczyca) feels intentional, even beyond the stage. The pre-show soundtrack of early-2000s pop-punk music and the Polish pop on the house speakers after the show both fed into the mood. Even the chill-out room, where disabled folks could spend their intermission, was riddled with vampire references: Interview with the Vampire colouring sheets, vampire-themed crosswords, and fidget toys were splayed across the table. The sparse stage decor featured a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, written in Polish with the word “amen” ripped out, standing prominently in the background. A backdrop featuring several complex knots and netting stood stage left. Both pieces, though simple, referenced traditional Slavic practices of slowing down and occupying an upiór.Due to the production’s simple stage setup, the choreography (Oh Augustine), lighting design (Alexandra Caprara), and sound design (Roxanne Nesbitt) did a lot of the heavy lifting to set the tone of the play. A compelling mix of contemporary and Polish folk dance created a sense of unease, punctuated by strobe lights and distorted Polish folk music.Absurdity occasionally garnered laughter from the audience. An unreliable narrator explored the tension between the embrace of masculinity, and the accompanying violence of patriarchy and internalized misogyny. Despite its dark themes, Tomboy (Chłopczyca) presented a heartfelt exploration of gender expression, violence, and grief. It grappled with misogyny, queerphobia, parental abuse, and religious trauma with equal parts depth and levity, making it a piece of queer media that highlights the complex story of a trans person coming of age. Join the discussion Facebook comments not loading? Please check your browser settings to ensure that it is not blocking Facebook from running on straight.com