The Hero Leaves One Tooth (KXT on Broadway) ★★★1/2

Written by Erica J. Brennan. KXT on Broadway. 14 – 29 July, 2023

Fucked up dinner parties are a theatrical staple. Get a bunch of characters around a table and let their personal drama’s play out as subtext, hidden by polite behaviour… at least at first. That basic premise gets turned into a speculative, body-horror-infused exploration of trauma and sexual politics in Erica J. Brennan’s stunning (in both senses of the word) The Hero Leaves One Tooth.

Neeve and Felix’s relationship is tense. Back from a holiday abroad, Felix has planned a night that’s all about him – to show off his cooking and his photographs. But it’s clear they are both on edge. As their friends arrive the night is full of ominous portent – Felix demands everyone puts their phone in a locked box, they’re both furious with Gem when he drinks all of the “special wine”, there is a sense of panic when Sasha brings an unannounced date. Things really go off the rails when Neeve’s ex-boyfriend (and former teacher) Mark turns up without warning…

The key to The Hero Leaves One Tooth is the pacing. Information comes out in cryptic snippets, stolen moments at a party, that slowly build to a fuller picture of Neeve’s life. Gem, Felix’s former queer lover, is furious at the sexless state of Neeve and Felix’s relationship. Dentist friend Kadi knows more of Neeve’s medical history and recent trauma. Sasha is throwing barbs about how Neeve just needs to try harder to get over it. The opening scene shows us Neeve being attacking while jogging, but it’s only later we realise the true extent of the sexual violence inflicted. And trust me, you think you know, but you don’t know!

Director Cam Turnbull has a good sense of space and timing, keeping the action moving and playing with the comedy of this menacing piece. Kira-Che Heelan is excellent as Neeve, holding her secrets, shame and strength in tight control. I’ll confess some of the other performances felt forced and unnatural, dissipating the emotional heft of the piece, and the presence of musical performances felt distracting (not helped by the fact the lyrics were often inaudible as they laid out important information).

As intriguing as the concepts at play are, the story never really rounds out to a satisfying conclusion, with some character behaviour stretching credulity and much of the atmospheric set up lacking solid follow through. Heelan’s performance holds it all together.

I called this “speculative” because in some ways this is a fantasy world. Similar to ours but with one key difference. From here we get slightly spoilery so you have been warned (everything I talk about is featured in the show’s digital programme, but I think it’s best not to know going in)…

Here we go…

The story is set in a world in which 10 years ago women developed vagina dentata – teeth in their vaginas. Brennan has taken this myth and played out the reality in interesting new directions. Now that women can inflict damage to rapists in real time, does this empower them? What does it do to the sex life of straight men in their lives? What if you can’t control your new ‘mouth’ and start to bite? What are the ethics of extracting the teeth – with or without consent? With this knowledge, the puzzle of everyone’s behaviour starts to fit together. 

The Hero Leaves One Tooth is dark and intriguing. While I can’t say I really “enjoyed” it (bodily fluids on stage are not my thing), it’s fresh ideas and interesting take is exciting to see.