How to Poop in an Outhouse at -58°C is an exciting one-woman show that explores the possibilities of constantly saying yes to adventures! Through her award-winning storytelling abilities, Kona Morris (who we were actually lucky enough to chat with prior to her show — you can watch our interview here) explores cultural differences through hilarious moments, hard-hitting topics, and some helpful advice if you ever find yourself needing the toilet in sub-zero conditions! The show tells the story of Kona’s own experience of falling in love with a Native Alaskan at a university gathering, which ultimately forced her to relocate to an extremely remote village in the Arctic Circle. She then had to very quickly adapt to the customs and traditions of those living around her. It would be very easy for this production to present the ideas surrounding culture and upbringing as overly critical, or almost as an attack on this community, but Kona is able to effortlessly avoid this by honestly discussing the differences in a way that is informative and educational for the audience. On top of this, the show is based on the solo performer’s own experiences, and these ideas are presented in a respectful manner without talking down about any of the customs discussed.
Due to these factors, the audience walks away feeling as if they have learnt something about the traditions of a place they may never have heard of before. This balance of informative content and entertainment is something I particularly enjoy. At one point in the show, Kona shares the unique way she got engaged to her partner, which involved a traditional process in the culture she was now a part of. While hosting a small gathering of her extended family at her home, her soon-to-be mother-in-law walked into the home and hung up a piece of art, only for Kona to realise that this was the way in which families announce engagements in the area. This was met with confused giggles from the audience, but when she explained that this was a genuine custom, the audience was stunned into silence. One of the most powerful messages behind this unique adventure is the discussion about reproductive rights, as Kona highlights the sheer number of young girls mysteriously disappearing from school to have children because her new ‘hometown’ does not have access to fundamental healthcare. Having someone share these ideas and customs from far-away places can only have a positive effect on the wider world, which is fantastic! One of the most unique stories shared in the entire production sees the performer talking about the time she and her partner decided to kayak to the airport, rather than getting a lift as any ‘normal’ person would. This journey spanned a series of days and must have been an incredible experience to witness in the moment, but it also made for a very interesting story to share with everyone!
Being brought up in a busy city, Kona talks about a degree of ‘ignorance’ surrounding life outside of mainstream locations and, in particular, her feelings about being fully prepared for life in this new environment. One story in particular stands out: Kona felt as if she could survive the sub-zero temperatures in a coat she had been given as a gift, but this coat essentially did absolutely nothing in the freezing weather. Luckily, however, she did end up buying a much more insulated coat that made her life just a little bit easier! One of the more poignant messages in the show sees Kona talk about the importance of having a ‘toilet stick’. When the temperatures reach these extreme Arctic levels, it can be very difficult to comfortably use the toilet, and so this stick can be a really useful tool. It is not just advice on clothing that the solo performer shares with the audience, as she also discusses the day-to-day activities that many other people may shy away from when speaking in front of a crowd. As the title of the show itself suggests, the show informs the audience with a series of helpful hints and tips on how to go to the toilet in this icy climate. After Kona discusses the best practices for relieving yourself in an outhouse, a voice-over is blasted through the venue, outlining the rules to ensure every single audience member is clearly directed towards what not to do if they ever find themselves in this situation, once again reinforcing the educational nature of the show! It is revealed in the closing moments of the show that the mysterious voice we had been hearing throughout the performance was, in fact, Kona’s son, whom she talks about within the show itself. This was met with a flood of ‘awws’ from everyone watching.
Overall, How to Poop in an Outhouse at -58°C by Kona Morris at Greenside is an exciting story of adventure while also highlighting different cultures and traditions in an incredibly respectful manner, while still making clear that certain aspects need to move with the times. Despite the title, this is absolutely a show for a more mature audience, as it discusses some intense topics and contains occasional strong language. However, you will leave the audience learning something about a place they may or may not have heard of prior to seeing this show! I would rate this show 3 out of 5 stars!
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