Words: Katie Frances

Emerging in emerald green; Leah Shelton sashays in a sixties style dress, silk gloves, elongated poses, axe in hand… lights crackle, the atmosphere reverberates between eerie and playful. The slickly tiled set appears ready to host a music video or something more clinical… a saccharine rendition of ‘Come on, get happy!’ is performed. 

BATSHIT is a requiem for Leah’s grandmother Gwen, who was hospitalised in 1963 in Heathcote mental hospital in Melbourne. Mother and wife in a rural part of Australia, at forty-two, Gwen is described as becoming ‘delusional and religious,’ ‘difficult to live with’ and ‘disinterested in being married with children.’ She’s becoming crazy and is sent away to change. Her medical records are chillingly read out,
silenced with medication she becomes increasingly withdrawn. After three months, she’s deemed fit to return to marital life. The electric shock treatments have caused a memory lapse, she is now quiet but able to carry out marital duties, able to please her husband.

Shelton explores her grandmothers experience and the wider picture of the stigma around women’s mental health in an inventive and investigative way. Old footage of the Australian public being interviewed is shown and they are asked whether they think the house wives of Australia lead exciting lives… their responses are outdated and laughable, mostly presenting a product of their
generation. This interview technique is introduced later in the show with modern interviewees and the answers are fascinating. Through multimedia – Britney Spears, Amber Heard, and a hoard of other ‘crazy’ ladies are discussed. ‘Batshit’, ‘fruitcake’, ‘hysterical’… or seeking an escape from the relentlessness of their strife? Shelton brims the audience’s cup with afterthought.

Versatile and fluid in her movements, Shelton’s performance and Ursula Martinez’s direction is captivating. Glamorous and guttural, bitter and sweet, ‘Batshit’ is a stirring piece.

BATSHIT
Traverse Theatre, Traverse 2
12:45, 15:30, 18:00, 20:00
Aug 4, 6-11, 13-18, 20-25