“a visceral experience that is likely to be the most engaging night at the theatre you’ve had in a while”

- Theatre Travels

“Stanley’s affection for entertainment is evident throughout ‘JSMR’. She relishes in her ability to make audiences smile and chortle…Even when only speaking in whispers, Stanley’s warm performance speaks volumes.”

- Theatre Haus

“Through dark comedic wit and magnetic naturalism Jessica Stanley lures the audience into her world through the subtle exploration of everyday sounds, and the world of audial sensitivity.”

- Weekend Notes

“Stanley will whisper away your worries for 45 minutes, and by the end of the show, you’ll be singing her praises. Loudly.”

- Theatre Haus

SYNOPSIS.

Need some pleasant head tingles in your life? JSMR is back—and this time, she's live.

Following the award-winning digital production, JSMR: an ASMR & Storytelling Experience (Melbourne Fringe 2021), Jessica Stanley is bringing the strange, bringing the soothing, and bringing the sensorial delights to the Fringe Hub in the form that the show was originally intended: live, onstage. Or in a tent. Either way, it's gonna be intimate.

You've heard of ASMR, right? That's Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response—or, those head tingles you get when someone gives you close, personal attention, plays with your hair, or touches one of your most precious belongings in an appreciative way.

Presented as part of the Fringe of the Hub, you'll step away from the bar and right into a cosy little alcove where Jessica Stanley will be waiting. Pop on some wireless headphones, get comfy, and enjoy a calming, sensory smorgasbord of pleasing triggers for you, and not-so-pleasing triggers for your host, as she blends traditional ASMR with her personal touch of the bizarre, affecting and hypnotic.

This will be Stanley's fourth solo performance for Melbourne Fringe, following turns in Ménage (Best Performance Nominee, 2016), Ross & Rachel (2018), JSMR (Award Winner, 2021), and the ensemble piece Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y (2019). Designed by multiple Green Room award winner Dann Barber and directed by Sarah Clarke.

It might be cathartic. It might put you to sleep. It might get personal. It will definitely feel weird.

OCTOBER 6 - 21st | 7pm, 8pm & 9pm each night

(No shows on Mondays. Extra 6pm shows Thurs 6th - Sat 8th)

CREATIVES.

Presented by Spinning Plates Co. & North of Eight

Created & Performed by Jessica Stanley

Directed by Sarah Clarke

Designed by Dann Barber

PR by Eleanor Howlett, Sassy Red PR

Produced by Jessica Stanley

PRESS & REVIEWS.

“Stanley brings a sense of ease to the room full of people who don’t know what to expect. She promises a weird time, but a nice time - both of which are promises she delivers on… I was being taken wide-eyed on the ride of my life… With an impressively high production value… “JSMR" is a visceral experience that is likely to be the most engaging night at the theatre you’ve had in a while.”

- Theatre Travels. Read the full review here.

“Whispering and tapping back and forth, Stanley slowly lulls her audience into a calm reverie…equal parts calming, vulnerable, and humorous, Clarke saturates ‘JSMR’ with delicate nuance. Both Clarke and Stanley understand that while the show is meant to be comical, at its heart it aims to provide comfort to anyone needing respite from stress. Even with the noise from the outside Loading Dock Bar, Stanley manages to captivate her audience with her soothing and intimate storytelling. Even when only speaking in whispers, Stanley’s warm performance speaks volumes…Stanley will whisper away your worries for 45 minutes, and by the end of the show, you’ll be singing her praises. Loudly.”

- Theatre Haus. Read the full review here.

“Arising out of the darkness comes a show which is a little bit magical, a little bit gypsy carnivale and very, very fringy! How refreshing! …Madame Stanley and her magical cards take the audience on a journey of experimentation of sensory sound which will leave you either creeped out or pleasantly Zen… Through dark comedic wit and magnetic naturalism Jessica Stanley lures the audience into her world”

- Weekend Notes. Read the full review here.

“Stanley’s silky-smooth voice translate[s] crystal clear into the personal headphones…seamlessly combines commentary and satire within her scenes, simultaneously fascinated and skeptical by the fetishism and commodification that is at play in ASMR.”

- Australian Stage. Read the full review here.

TEASER.

It’s a blustery October evening. You’ve stepped into the charming old building on Victoria Street. There’s people everywhere—heading up the stairs, queueing haphazardly along the walls, texting by the light of their phones. But you have the strange feeling that you should keep going forwards. You enter a wide open space. There’s couches, people sipping on wine, a booth with smiling staff behind it.

And there, to your left, is a doorway that leads into a darkened tent, the soft glow of light coming from within. In the midst of all the chaos and bustle of this building, this is a tiny haven of quiet. There’s paintings on the sides of the tent, giving hints of what may lay beyond. And there’s someone there to greet you. They offer you a menu, tell you to select what you’d like. You do, not really sure what’s going on, but feeling compelled to continue on, to discover what will happen next. Will it be soothing or scary or both? It’s hard to tell.

A set of headphones appears, and as soon as you put them on, the rest of the world falls away. The doorway to the tent is pulled open, and the presence inside calls to you.

What do you do next? You decide.

GALLERY.

Images by Sarah Clarke.

Look back on the 2021 season…

J S M R : a n A S M R & S t o r y t e l l i n g E x p e r i e n c e

created & performed by Jessica Stanley

SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 17, 2021 | STREAMING ONLINE

Well folks, Melbourne Fringe may have been forced to cancel all of their in-person events due to lockdown, but luckily, JSMR was a pretty smooth transition to a digital event. While we were very much looking forward to performing in the Old Council Chambers at the Fringe Hub, Trades Hall, we hope that you’ll join us for the on-demand viewing of JSMR, available to stream from September 30th to October 17th.

ABOUT.

Ever heard of ASMR, a.k.a. Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or, those head tingles you get when someone gives you close, personal attention or touches your stuff in a non-threatening way? 

Now you can enjoy this digital experience at Melbourne Fringe with JSMR. Pop in your headphones, lie back, and let Jessica Stanley take care of you in this calming, sensory exploration of pleasing triggers for you (and not-so-pleasing triggers for your host) as she blends ASMR with personal stories of how she came to discover, love...and need it. It might be cathartic. It might put you to sleep. It might get personal. It will definitely feel weird. 

Best Performance nominee (2016) Jessica Stanley returns to Melbourne Fringe for the fourth time, following successful runs of Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y (2019), Ross & Rachel (2018) and Ménage (2016). 

Originally intended as a live theatre event at Trades Hall, where audience members would wear wireless headphones, this digital pivot will allow for you to experience ASMR* from the comfort of your home. 

*ASMR not guaranteed.

Please note this show should be listened to via headphones for optimal audience experience.

Flexible pricing available. Approximate running time: 60 minutes.

Warning: Contains potentially triggering content or themes, including Sexual Assault or Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Mental Health

REVIEWS & AWARDS.

Winner: The Art Unbound Award, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2021

“Her strength as a performer comes from her raw and sensitive nature, making JSMR such a beautifully crafted production and establishes her as an artist to watch…★★★★½” - Mojo News

“Stanley is a flawless performer and writer, creating a work that is equally funny as it is confronting and thought provoking...a highly recommended and important work” - Australian Arts Review

“What a beautiful, honest, soothing experience…Stunning. Just stunning.” - Chats with Creatives

“In the face of adversity, this artist thrives. Jessica has created a digital, sensorial nest that not only envelops you whole but unveils her vulnerability and show stopping versatility. She pushes all the parts of you that make you feel, then tucks you in. Her creative generosity is pioneering and unique” - The Bit Podcast

“imaginative and unique” - My Melbourne Arts

“amazingly talented” - Weekend Notes

“compelling” - Kate Herbert

PRESS.

“The amazingly talented Jessica Stanley is back performing online at the Melbourne Fringe with her new work JSMR… It's a performance and an experience set to make your skin crawl or tingle. All you need is a ticket and a set of headphones and experience JSMR from the comfort of your home. So get on board with JSMR and be ever so Fringey!” - Weekend Notes

Listen to Jess talking about the show with Michelle Perera on 3mdr’s radio show, Community.

Check out Jess’s in depth interview with Myron My on My Melbourne Arts by clicking here.

An excerpt from Jess & Myron’s interview:

‘For Stanley, exposing and exploring her vulnerabilities to strangers, while confronting, is an experience she won't shy away from especially with most of Victoria under lockdown. "I really value truth in art and theatre, and in this current climate the mental health and wellbeing of artists feels really relevant, so even though I feel very vulnerable in this show, I wanted to say, ‘Hey, these are some things that I think and feel and sometimes get upset about, and I wonder if you do too and if you’d like to talk about it?' I’m a huge fan of getting personal.’

TRAILER.

Check out this sneaky teaser trailer for a preview of what’s in store in the show.