House of Airline Internationalè

SURVIVAL!

This was presented as part of Melbourne Midsumma Pride March 2022 and Melbourne Fringe Festival Parade 2022.

BATTERED, BRUISED, BUT…

FUCK YOU! STILL FABULOUS!!!

WINNER – MOST INNOVATIVE AWARD for Cleverest Float or Costumes Melbourne Midsumma Pride March 2022.

Meet Senior Stewardess Suzanne Swallows

Senior Stewardess Suzanne Swallows is winner of the IATIATIAA Bravery Medal for saving 69 businessmen, from the shark infested waters of the Indian Ocean during the Maldives ditching disaster. In this presentation, Ms Swallows re-creates the experience in order to symbolise the resilience of the LGBTQIA+ Community. Traumatised and damaged but still glamorous - we have survived!!

I am your Raft Commander! You will obey my instructions!

Please note that life rafts are stencilled with important safety information –

If raft flip flops:

· “Top, Bottom, Versatile.”

To prevent fissures or tears:

· “No High Heels, Nail Files or Pricks.”

Please use the raft boarding stations:

· “First Class – Board Here, Economy – Tread Water. “

To prevent diseases:

· “No Pissing, Shitting or Puking in the raft”

Cabin Crew, long a Queer iconic trope, have been worshipped for their glamour and style. Yet within is hidden strength. They can evacuate passengers from a sinking fuselage, restrain unruly intruders and launch life rafts. All of this, while being incredibly fashionable. An element of the uniform worn in this exhibition, is the Arabian veils – representing grace and elegance. This is a nod to the international struggle of the Queer Community and especially to those in the Middle East who suffer some of the most extreme discrimination and vilification. Punishments include torture, castration, vigilante attacks, life imprisonment and execution. Australia has granted full equal rights for Queer citizens since 2017.

Performed on the lands of the Yalukit-william and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples

Credits:

Producer & Artistic Director: Douglas (Vishal) Brook

Cabin Crew: Arla Duncan, Emma Bathgate, Jessica Horton, Rebecca Horne, Douglas Brook, Tallulla Davies, Gretel Taylor

Pilots: Scott Connolly, James Brook

Pilot in Shark Mouth: Daniel Mounsey

Tropical Tourists: Geoff Mallows, Johann De Boer, Ken Syhaid, Bridgid Courtney, Briony Grigg, Benjamin Clegg

Nun: Gabrielle Bullard

Sheik: Adrian Hewson

Photography: Celeste De Clario, Lindsay Cox, Luna

Videography: Amos Hunt, Lindsay Cox

Props Assistants: Jill Brook, Ella Chech, Gabrielle Bullard