Two-thirds of the theatre trio HOTEL NOW, Cait Spiker and Simone French, dish out a provocative, yet fantastically frantic interpretation of modern feminism in their new show Hersteria.

Two doors down from the Arts House in North Mellbourne, Sokol Melbourne is decked out in the kitsch usually reserved to the local op-shop: plastic flamingos, inflatable palm trees and AstroTurf, and the sound of 80s pop flows out into the street. Clothed in vibrant colours like dolls, Spiker and French sit in a room with a chandelier made of high heels at its centre, and are look nervously at the audience as they stream in. From then on, they take each other on, quite literally as if it were a boxing match, gradually descending into insanity as they grapple with the issues that dominate the lives of modern woman.

With backgrounds in music and modelling, Spiker and French are no strangers to the stage, their acting and their competitive dynamic is constantly enthralling. Their zestful rhythm accelerates until its absurdity and their humour becomes contagious, as it permeates the space. Taking on several identities throughout the show, including expecting mothers, passive-aggressive friends and exaggerated versions of themselves, they are both subtle in their expressions, yet clear in what they are trying to say.

This is not the most significant and subversive work of feminist art, but it never intends to be. It rarely takes itself very seriously, and instead is an easily accessible and endlessly fun look at modern life. However, its fast pace and hysterical nature means Hersteria and neither Spiker nor French overstay their welcome as they literally put their bodies on the line for comedy and for their beliefs.

Hersteria is on at Sokol Melbourne, 497 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne until 2 October at 8:30pm. For more information or to book tickets, please visit the Melbourne Fringe website or call the ticketing team on 9660 9666.