Features / Reviews
Review: Ourcylium, the Island – ‘Raw, queer and irresistibly alive’
In the dim glow of the Island, bright spores of creativity erupted like mycelium bursting through soil.
Raw, queer and irresistibly alive, Roux, also known as Gender Criminal, took to the stage with his movement theatre performance, Ourcylium.
Ourcylium transforms fungal mycelium networks into a vibrant reflection of queer belonging and community resilience through immersive drag, fluid choreography, and sonic storytelling.
Roux’s high-energy opener swiftly built psycho-somatic rhythm, laying the foundation for the performance’s relentless momentum.
Choreographically, Roux’s “high politi-camp” style shone in body-queering movements mimicking spore germination and hyphal extensions, channelling raw emotions about human connections via fungal communication and ecosystems.
Transitions from rambunctious ramblings to trans chaos felt organic, heightened by immersive soundscapes pulsing like hidden root systems, with subtexts unfolding smoothly across phases without jarring shifts.
Gender Criminal presented a new work exploring mycelium networks as modes of belonging
Audience member Laurie captured its connective power: “The whole narrative of converting ‘Mycelium’ into ‘Ourcylium’ filled the space with love, connecting us to the performance and each other. It felt reflective, stirring vulnerability and the value of communities.”
The piece probes what happens when a “spore from something rot” seeks partnership, paralleling marginalised identities forging networks amid decay—a timely nod to fungal undergrowth lessons for human communities.
Queer live art elements challenge norms, fostering reflection on connectivity in a fragmented world while nurturing a safe space for the audience.
Audience engagement during the performance strived to show connection
Music producer Hzlb, attending Roux’s production for the third time, shared: “I cried every time. He peeled another layer of his personality every time with his storytelling, as I always feel more connected, warm and honoured to be in a space safe to breathe, celebrate and mourn.”
In performances where props and costumes drive storytelling, heavy elements risk overwhelming the core narrative, but Roux directed theirs with precise restraint.
His strong, versatile expressions and innovative audience engagement could have earned bonus points if highlighted by more dynamic spotlighting, which felt stiff and vaguely placed.
Roux uses the name “Gender Criminal” to describe his work as a storyteller, producer and queer live artist
Ourcylium earns 4.5 out of five stars. It exceeds expectations in bold innovation, thematic resonance, and emotional pull, per standard review scales, where four signals frequent high achievement and five demand flawless execution—docked half a point solely for lighting limitations that slightly muted peak moments.
Ideal for fans of multi-disciplinary queer performance; watch future Gender Criminal performances to witness evolving fungal frenzy.
All photos: Charley Williams
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