Doris Fish began her drag career with the Australian avant garde drag troupe/collective Sylvia and the Sythetics. Founded by Morris Spinetti and Wendy Sappington and active from October 1972-December 31, 1974, the group had upwards of 25 performers at times. The participants included Doris Fish, Jasper Havoc, Jaqueline Hyde, Danny Abood, Carmel Strelein. The history of the group was nicely covered in this 2021 Guardian article.
Doris wrote about her time with the Synthetics in her 1977 Kalendar Magazine bio:
It was not until I was nineteen that I first appeared in women’s clothes. An innovative troupe of actors and actresses had formed “Sylvia and the Synthetics”. I was a prominent and popular member for two years. During this time we appeared at various functions and did ourselves organize numerous parties at which we entertained our many friends.
We were described as “sexual politicians” by at least one newspaper. POL, a glossy fashion and scene magazine, used us as fashion models for one glamorous issue. We became famous (often for things we didn’t do!)
I remember one performance of things we did do. It was a New Year’s Eve Show in an old dis-used theatre club. We were already the darlings of the hip and art set and the hall was packed. The show opened with a gorgeous muscle-man centre stage. Onto his broad shoulders descended a young, pretty (fake) woman. The rest of us danced on in fishnet stockings and tails as the “heroine” sang about her breaking heart. She then took her heart from her breast and ate it. The blood dripped onto her powder blue debutante gown. At various times during the evening we threw fish, flowers, candy and glitter at the eager audience. We whipped and kicked each other and removed our frocks. The whole hall was soon filled with naked bodies. The police later arrived and arrested some rowdy people who were living in the gutter.
The New Year’s Eve Show was described in the press as an avant-garde art show. We were featured in an artist’s journal; we did television appearances and we made various underground movies, none of which have ever surfaced.
The initial energy of the group was waning as various members headed for distant lands. I came to San Francisco. The Synthetics last token performance was my farewell party. Another troupe member has now joined me-Jasper Havoc. We two have been friends for over ten years! (Since school.)
