Review: Blushing
Zen Zen Zo’s latest production of Blushing is timely and thought-provoking; as Artistic Director Indiah Morris’ program note observes, ‘after the global pandemic […] heightened stakes for physical connection invites us to look at touch with a fresh, critical lens.’
Described by Darwin as ‘the most peculiar and the most human of all expressions,’ blushing is an involuntary reddening that can be caused by stress, shame, excitement, passion, fear or embarrassment. In Blushing, Morris and the Zen Zen Zo team encourage the audience to recall and consider the many occasions when we all blush, and to reflect on the importance of shame, curiosity and touch in human contact.
Blushing is a promenade performance. Before entering the Holy Trinity Church Hall, the performers move between the waiting audience, making gestures to invite touch. As individuals tentatively put out hands in greeting, or move in for a possible hug, the performers withdraw from any touch—leading to chuckles of surprise and delight, and possibly feelings of light discomfort. Stepping into the Hall, the performance is staged in four different areas within the space, where audience members are encouraged to sit/kneel, facing the unfolding action, and to move around the space when prompted. Those of us unable to do so stood at the back, with some seats made available for individuals with accessibility needs.
Blushing is a human reaction to so many moments in our lives, cleverly referenced throughout the work—starting with the early nervous embarrassment at attempts to greet the cast, and in the early Blushing childlike ‘discovery’ of Shame (Shanne O’Leary) and Curiosity (Ebony Webb). Interactions between O’Leary and Webb are at the centre of Blushing, but all eight talented performers hold the full attention of the audience, with memorable moments including a beautiful ‘seduction’ duet, poignant spinning, slow-motion sporting plays, rhythmic slap dances, the outrageous high-energy moves by the red-clad trio, and the special poignancy of the final ‘embrace’ (cast: Angela Barnard, Anabella Gregory, Liam Linane, Bryson McGuire, Shanne O'Leary, Mia Sibley, Ebony Webb, and Cade Williams).
The performers are the clear stars of this show, but special mention must go to their fellow creatives. Blushing benefits from powerful lighting design (Briana Clark) and excellent soundscapes that enhance the artists’ vocalisations and include powerful moments of silence. I loved the theatrical makeup, dominated by white with a strong red emphasis around the eyes and a quirky placing of the bright red lips. The costumes were used to great effect throughout, thanks to the work of those involved in the costume design and realisation and the work of the team with an Intimacy Coordinator (Director/ Designer Indiah Morris, Intimacy Co-ordinator Tahlia Miller, and Costume Realisers Maxi Mossman, Shanne O'Leary, Ebony Webb, and Mia Sibley). Initially, the white-capped performers glide around the space in long white skirts that offer occasional glimpses of patchwork red. During the performance, the red ‘undergarments’ come into play—from the funny moments suggesting ‘blushing,’ through to the sassy high-energy red trio, and the closing removal of the white skirts.
Blushing is an excellent demonstration of the power of Zen Zen Zo’s physical theatre tradition, as a show that is thought-provoking and occasionally funny. This dance /physical theatre form may not be for everyone, but Blushing is a timely and provocative work that gives us all food for thought.
NOT a Creative Futures Photography image: Final embrace image source Zen Zen Zo Facebook Page.
Audience information: June 2025 performances of Blushing are at Holy Trinity Church, Fortitude Valley (19-29 June 2025). 50 minutes, no interval. 16+. A promenade work, requiring the audience to move around the space, with limited seating that is reserved for accessibility needs. Some haze, bright lights and occasional loud noises, with mild sexual references and allusions to violence. Tickets $35, plus $2.65 fees (Blushing Movement & Devising Workshop tickets $20). Program available online.
Additional information from the Company website/credits: Zen Zen Zo is an innovative physical theatre company at the forefront of contemporary performance and training in Australia. Zen Zen Zo’s aesthetic was forged between the ancient Asian dance-theatre traditions, the European avant-garde theatre movement, and contemporary pop culture. Zen Zen Zo believes in a theatre of contact, in which the relationship between the actors and the audience is at once intimate and shocking, compelling and confrontational, ritualistic and profane. Blushing was originally devised in 2024 with a cast of Zen Zen Zo company members and interns (Zen Zen Zo Company Members: Maisie Crosdale, Gina Tay Limpus, Maxi Mossman, Liam Linane, Wayne Jennings, Shanne O’Leary, Jackson O’Sullivan. Zen Zen Zo Interns: Lauren Rotante, Jack Simpson, Zola Allen, Mira Chorik, Kari Scott Matthew, Mimi Floreani, Mia Sibley, Mags Doherty, Angela Barnard, Cade Williams, Ava Stewart, Ebony Webb, Anabella Gregory). The 2024 ‘In The Raw’ season formed the foundation of Sen Zen Zo’s 2025 Blushing
The reviewer attended the Saturday 28 June 2025 performance (7pm).