UK-based Australian theatre company TomYumSim return home to La Mama Theatre with a subversive interrogation of truth in the age of social media – inspired by Australian influencer and cancer-con Belle Gibson (BBC’s ‘Bad Influencer’). 

Living day to day, not knowing if tomorrow will come, Simone Hamilton is overcoming the odds. Rising star, singer and influencer, her followers have witnessed it all. But what makes them believe it’s all true?

Blending live performance with live streaming and interactive social media experiments, Simone Hamilton explores influencer culture and our dangerous obsession with crafting “authentic” versions of ourselves online. A Suffocating Choking Feeling plays with the boundaries of truth and ethics, testing audiences’ willingness to believe…

“Not shying away from the provocative”– The Guardian

“A notorious collision between social media and the truth” – The Age

“TomYumSim walk the fine line between madness and truth” – ★★★★ The Plus Ones

Content Warnings: This performance contains references to cancer and terminal illness. This performance contains strobe lighting and haze.

Creator & Performer: Simone French

Director & Technical: Tom Halls

Lighting Design: Katie Sfetkidis

Set & Costume: Rūta Irbīte

Stage Manager: Celina Mack

UK Lighting Design: Amy Daniels

Outside Eye: Paula Varjack

Supported with funding from Arts Council England

Image by Lidia Crisafulli


Access Information:

Visual rating 50%: Events are partly subtitled or include dialogue, background music and/or sounds, so d/Deaf and hard of hearing audiences can have some engagement with the event.

Aural Rating 50%: Has both sound and visual components, but sight isn’t essential to be able to engage with the event.