OBSERVER: First Trimester
Melbourne Fringe is calling for potential sperm donors to sign up to participate in a unique performance at this year’s Fringe Festival in First Trimester by UK-based performer and Netflix creator Krishna Istha, which will be presented from October 16-18 at Arts House, North Melbourne.
Having searched London, Dublin, Copenhagen and Auckland as part of a world-wide quest for the ‘perfect’ sperm donor for Krishna and partner Logan (neither of whom produce sperm), First Trimester tours to Melbourne this October, with the call now open for potential sperm donors to sign-up to participate in the event.
During the performance, participants join a public conversation with Istha, who will answer questions that range from funny to serious – from matter of fact to philosophical – to discover the qualities that make them a perfect match.
Interviews last 10-minutes live on stage. The aim is to conduct as many interviews as possible, to learn more about the kind of person that has the potential to be a sperm donor, and to continue Istha’s search to make the ultimate connection.
First Trimester is also an artistic and social experiment. Through the project, Istha, who is trans, aims to create a dialogue around trans reproductive healthcare in a creative way.
First Trimester ultimately explores human connection, and the challenges of fertility and parenthood.
“First Trimester is a celebration of the many ways families are created today,” says Melbourne Fringe Creative Director Simon Abrahams. “It uses candid conversation and humour to think about people who cannot conceive naturally but would make incredible parents.”
Krishna Istha is a London-based performance artist, screenwriter, comedian and theatre maker.
Applications to sign-up to be interviewed as a potential sperm donor for First Trimester are now open, and the Festival wants to hear from the LGBTQIA+ communities and their allies, people who have donated sperm previously, and anyone curious to consider the process.
Participants can sign up now by visiting melbournefringe.com.au/krishna-istha-first-trimester/
Performance Season: October 16 – 18 (including an eight-hour durational performance on October 18 when audience members can come and go at any time).
Venue: Arts House, North Melbourne
Further enquiries/bookings: melbournefringe.
com.au/krishna-istha-first-trimester/