TOUR FUNDRAISER FOR JESSI RYAN & FUNCTIONAL BOTTOM

Hi,

As many of you know, my name is Jessi Ryan, and 18 months ago I nearly died- emergency surgery ensued, a week in ICU and a month at the Austin. Now stoma and colostomy bag free and I am firmly on my path to recovery and taking all that trauma on the road with my debut comedy show Functional Bottom.

After a stellar season as part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April, it was quickly programmed by MELT Open- Brisbane’s premiere queer arts festival, where it will make it’s MainStage debut at Brisbane Powerhouse November 7-10th.

I had my final and 7th of operation in late December, shortly after myself and my director Anna Piper Scott hit the ground running, writing and rehearsing the performance in January and February.

For a small and wholly independent show to be transferred to a MainStage so soon is no small feat- and I am immensely proud, but touring costs money...

Your donations will go directly towards production costs, flights and accomodation costs- I like you are likely grappling with rising costs across the board, any donation now matter how small or large will be greatly appreciated.

MORE ABOUT THE WORK

“Their chaotic style – jumping off script, throwing in some physical comedy, and eventually finding their way back to the story – is mesmerising to watch, this autobiographical hour has real power.” - Theatre First.

“An entertaining and shocking debut that takes you through a year in the life of medical drama, sex and relationships”- ArtsHub.

Returning for one night only is Functional Bottom, fresh from its successful debut at Melbourne International Comedy Festival- as a special fundraiser ahead of touring to Brisbane in October- where it has been programmed by Melt Open.

Directed by Anna Piper Scott, Functional Bottom explores, loss, survival and the art of clinging on with exquisitely manicured fingernails.

"A fusion of storytelling, performance art, filth, provocation and tears, Functional Bottom is a darkly humorous exploration of a year in the life of Jessi Ryan – artiste, journalist, sex worker and hot f#%king mess.

How else to respond to an ‘anus horribilis’ in the era of the neo-Nazi, including nearly dying on the emergency room table, colon removal and the death of their scat-loving sugar daddy?

"Artistic firebrand" (The Age) Jessi Ryan turns to art, sex, truth-telling and maybe a cheeky nang to burn this mother-fucking trash pile to the ground. It’s time to take stock of their self-medication carnival, crawl back from the abyss and get to the bottom of it all.

With 20 solo shows, three solo exhibitions and countless Australian and international performances to their credit, Jessi also has a formidable reputation for their journalistic work, including Walkley Award and Victorian Pride Award finalist nominations.

Strap yourselves in for a raw, unapologetic, messy and chaotic experience, where nothing is off limits, and rubber gloves are optional.