She Goat's Iron Fantasy: A Winningly Eccentric Journey into Female Strength
Performance duo She Goat delivers a poignant and eccentric exploration of strength in women with their new show Iron Fantasy at Soho Theatre Upstairs. French-English gig-theatre artists Eugénie Pastor and Shamira Turner grapple with life events and the realities of aging, questioning what it truly means to feel strong in contemporary society.
A Hero's Journey Through Song and Movement
The show begins with Pastor and Turner crawling gracelessly from behind a black backdrop, immediately posing the central question: "What does it mean to feel strong?" They confess that recent experiences have left them feeling anything but powerful, describing their bodies as "stuck on a decay trajectory." This admission sets the stage for their fantastical quest to transform into the heroic figures they admired in youth, particularly Xena: Warrior Princess.
Through a unique blend of musical performance—Turner on autoharp, Pastor on flute, both manipulating an electronic controller pad—the duo creates what can only be described as a chaotic yet tender meditation on strength. The production balances sweet humor with profound insights, never shying away from difficult truths while maintaining an engaging theatricality.
From Juvenile Concepts to Adult Realizations
Dressed in nostalgic PE kits featuring white polo shirts and high-waisted black shorts, She Goat initially mines comedy from juvenile concepts of strength gathered from interviews with children. As the performance progresses, they confront the adult reality that strength means something entirely different. "When you picture someone strong, you're more likely to envisage a Viking than Turner and Pastor," they joke, adding that they too are "European and entering our Middle Ages."
Determined to change this perception, they embark on a physical transformation journey, soundtracking their own fight sequences and workouts with live covers of La Roux's 'Bulletproof,' Christina Aguilera's 'Fighter,' and the iconic 'Eye of the Tiger.' Their commitment extends to consuming raw eggs on stage—a moment that makes audiences wince but demonstrates their dedication to both artistic expression and physical transformation.
The Metatheatrical Reality of Artistic Creation
In a particularly revealing moment of self-referential metatheatricality, She Goat discusses their repeated failures to secure funding for Iron Fantasy. This haunting reminder of the precarious state of arts funding in 2026 underscores how much is at stake for contemporary artists. The very act of putting on this show becomes an embodiment of the strength they seek to explore, highlighting the courage required to create art without institutional support.
As Pastor and Turner witness progress in their physical transformations, their concepts of strength become increasingly cartoonish. They raid kitchens and borrow housemates' shoelaces to construct clunky metallic armor reminiscent of classic Doctor Who robot costumes, complete with colander helmets. This makeshift protection eventually gives way to breastplates and arm bands in soft candy colors and lyrical shapes, yet the duo acknowledges that "no matter how much velcro we threw at it, we couldn't hold back time."
Feminist Theatre with Personal Resonance
The theme of strength as women's self-defense permeates Iron Fantasy, sometimes subtly woven through the narrative and at other times more overtly signaled. From a tinny Noughties ringtone that Pastor refuses to answer to Turner clutching her side before brushing off pain, spectral presences from past and present clearly prevent them from feeling truly strong.
Initially, their exploration of feminist safety measures—walking with keys between knuckles, crossing roads to avoid men, avoiding parks alone—feels familiar territory for those versed in feminist theatre. However, the performance finds its most powerful focus when Pastor and Turner shift to their own specific experiences, leaving audiences breathless at their ability to transform personal trauma into compelling art.
A Timely Message About Inner Strength
The ultimate lesson of Iron Fantasy—that inner strength matters as much as physical muscles—might seem obvious, but She Goat's distinctive storytelling prevents the message from becoming cloying. "Past a certain age, it does feel like we stop seeing women as strong or, frankly, seeing them at all," the performance suggests, making their decision to tell this story all the more significant.
Despite nervousness and lack of funding, Pastor and Turner have chosen to share their journey, and their courage in doing so becomes the show's most powerful demonstration of strength. Iron Fantasy runs at Soho Theatre from March 13 to March 21, 2026, with performances at 18:45 lasting approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Ticket prices range from £14 to £21, offering London audiences an opportunity to witness this unique exploration of contemporary womanhood.
Performance Details: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean St, London W1D 3NE. Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road. Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes. Tickets: £14-£21. Dates: March 13-21, 2026 (excluding Sunday).
