Unsorted

The teacher sits in front of a huge pile of clothes. Her class of five year olds gather around, as she asks them to sort the clothes into two piles, one for boys and one for girls. “Girls!” the class shouts for a pink dress. “Boys!” for a blue t-shirt. But last in the pile, a red jumper. The group are divided. Should it go in the boys’ or the girls’ pile? Finally, one student proposes a solution. “We need a new pile”. After this is decided, the teacher asks, “But if the red hoodie can go in a new pile, what about these other clothes? What about a pink hoodie? What if a boy wore that? Is that ok?” “Yes!” the class replies. “And what if a girl wore the blue t-shirt? Is that ok?” “Yes!” the class replies.

This was the classroom interaction that inspired US playwright Wesley Middleton to create Unsorted.

In the playful, Mixety world of the Clothings, Jacket is in charge and thinks everyone should be sorted into distinctly defined groups. The problem is, no one knows where to start. Skirt, Stove-Pipe, Sweater, Slacks and Swimsuit are are all friends who want to play together, but if they don’t sort themselves out and separate according to Jacket’s rules, they’ll all be banished.

This is the Australian premiere of Unsorted, which celebrates diversity and inclusivity over conformity, and comments on the needless gender stereotypes often ascribed to clothing.

Children aged 4-10 and the adults who care for them are invited to unravel the threads of separation and join us beyond the pink and blue.