Travesti, Pleasance Dome
By E.L. Hardy
What resonated most with me about Travesti is that, as liberated women of the western world, we have the freedom to say 'no!' And yet, at the times it matters most, we're still frightened to do so. Why the hell is that?!
Travesti explores what it means to be feminine. How it feels to be a young woman in 21st century society. First hand interviews and conversations with women are performed, in verbatim, by six actors. Six male actors. It is men that are voicing these women's thoughts. Perhaps this is to suggest that not all men think the way women presume them to, to reassure us that some men care as much, if not more, about women's rights and feminism than some women do.
Don't be mistaken into thinking this is something it is not. These men don't dress as or act like women. There is nothing forced or effeminate about their performances - they speak, not as men being women, but as humans - united in our desire to be loved, to feel safe and to aspire to be the best we can be. Despite the ripped abs on the flyer, when they take their shirts off, it is not to prompt applause or appease the perves amongst us. This play, for its comedy and visual appeal, is pretty heavy going and, at times, deliberately upsetting. The cast are consistently strong, each giving funny, sensitive performances. Verbatim being what it is, the lines are full of spontaneity and life. The production overall is very honest, very truthful and particularly touching because of it.
The songs creak a little and there are times when the direction could be marginally more imaginative. Mirrors, that also function as kitchen surfaces and ironing boards, lend for fairly stereotypical motifs of female subjugation. (I've seen men chop cucumbers before and look in the mirror occasionally too.) But actually, the relatable, familiar images are also sort of the point. The words spoken are nothing if not familiar. This isn't a play that exposes extreme cases of abuse, but surfaces the ordinary, day to day issues that women (and many men too) are confronted with, and quite routinely ignore. As a woman, I hear conversations about wearing makeup as a mask, being treated like shit in relationships and being groped in public, on a daily basis. But a few of the confessions could come as a surprise to some audience members, or serve as a reminder to others that actually, this is a travesty that will no longer be tolerated.
"I'm not doing that anymore."
★★★★½ Totally #UNBORING
@postscriptjour
Unbound Theatre present Travesti
Pleasance - Jack Dome
30th July-25th August (not 5th/19th)
14:50
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