Directed by Julian Smith, the show is hosted by Hannah Gadsby and features comedians Jes Tom, Chloe Petts, Asha Ward, DeAnne Smith, Dahlia Belles, Krishna Istha, and Alok. At the start of the show, Hannah Gadsby lightens the mood by referencing her previous conflict with Netflix, saying, “The last time Netflix brought this many trans people together, it was for a protest. So, progress,” before continuing with the actual show.
In “Gender Agenda,” the focus isn’t just on delivering a long lecture about gender complications. It offers something for everyone, with dark humour on serious topics, meaningful commentary on the LGBTQA+ community, and light-hearted jokes on contemporary issues.
British comedian Chloe Petts steals the show with her performance though. Her humorous yet thought-provoking take on transphobia, presented through the lens of a six-foot lesbian, is both entertaining and insightful. Chloe’s confident and energetic delivery is the X-factor of this stand-up. If you pay attention to Chloe’s show, you’ll see she delivers three types of jokes: light humour banter, dark puns, and impactful social messages.
Chloe takes the assumption about her gender very lightly and pokes fun at it, especially since many people mistake her for a man due to her height. She humorously labels herself as a flexitarian or homosexual, pointing out her openness to trying new things beyond her usual comfort zone, which is a highlight of the show.
Dahlia, a transgender woman, is brutally honest in her comedy too. She fearlessly calls herself a “Butt Pirate” and cracks jokes about herself in front of a full auditorium. She doesn’t shy away from making jokes about religion either, and she’s quick to say that if anyone is offended, she couldn’t care less.
She drives home the message that everyone is born equal and deserves equal respect, regardless of their caste, religion, or community. Dahlia says that if you judge someone based on their gender identity, then any tribute paid to them after death is meaningless, as it doesn’t truly honour their essence.
Krishna Istha, the non-binary and trans-masculine performer, impresses with their witty humor. In response to the stereotype that a man can live in a woman’s body, they cleverly point out that we were all once in a woman’s body, which is quite clever and deep.
Netflix recently dropped a Filipino stand-up special titled “Red Ollero, Mahubay is a Lie,” and let’s just say it was a bit of a struggle to get through. By comparison, “Gender Agenda” offers a mixed bag of performances, with some being downright hilarious and others falling a bit flat. However, the concept of centering a whole show around a specific theme is commendable.
Overall, “Gender Agenda” lands somewhere in the middle—it’s neither outstanding nor boring but rather a blend of both. It’s worth a watch for its unique approach, but it could have been much better too.
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Verdict - 5/10
5/10