Review: Hot Brown Honey at HOME is ’empowering, inspirational and provocative’

Hot Brown Honey is at HOME with The Remix, after touring for over eight years, the team of inspirational women are back to empower the people of Manchester.

These women from the other side of the globe are here to take back control and the revolution has never tasted so sweet.

As you filter into the theatre from the bar, you are greeted by performers in the aisles.

Their honeycomb jumpsuits and huge smiles stand out as they two-step to the music while you find your seats.

The song ‘My Neck, By Back’ plays over the speakers, instantly setting the mood that there is going to be a party, it’s going to be provocative and it’s going to be good.

The on-stage performers get you involved before the show kicks off, getting you to shout back to them and wave your arms in the air.

Guest Honey Ofa Fotu playing the role of Busty Beatz, The Queen Bee, introduces each performer from the top of the illuminated honeycomb hive and gives you a taste of what’s going to go down over the next hour and a half.

The First Nations women are here to smash stereotypes with a celebration of their identity and they’re not afraid to tell you how it is.

From an upbeat hip-hop rendition of an original song ‘Don’t touch my hair’ to a poignant lyrical dance routine with deep-rooted themes of colonisation and identity; this show will take you on a journey.

Each performance is incredible and interjected with reminders to smash the patriarchy, decolonise, moisturise and keep making noise.

Mayu Muto, The Gravity Defier, leaves the whole audience open-mouthed during her aerial rope routine, Mayu dramatically falls and drops almost effortlessly, it is amazing to watch.

Her movements are so fluid as she spins and turns, yet stiff as she climbs the rope as if it were a solid wooden staircase.

Alinta McGrady showcases her singing ability while comedically juggling being a young mother with limited childcare options.

While the powerful voiceover to the routine ‘privilege’ makes you evaluate how much you do or don’t have without even realising it.

The way Hot Brown Honey puts a middle finger up to societal standards of women of colour with humour is revolutionary; it’s authentic and unapologetic.

Hot Brown Honey is on at HOME until the 10th of June.