12.98°C This show is what Fringe Festivals are, or should be, all about. Performed solo by the incredible Caridad Gomez, it is an assault on the senses, an emotional onslaught and a phenomenal theatrical achievement. It is surreal. It is funny. It is tragic. It is intense. It is brilliant.
Ostensibly, the show is about a morbidly obese woman on the Mexico–US border where humour, music, food and tragedy meet violence in both body and territory. It’s far more than that, though. Caridad arrives on stage in a head-to-toe floral, massive prosthetic body suit that looks like it’s made from 1970s curtain and settee material. It’s colourful but grotesque and captures the audience’s attention immediately. The set consists of a swivel chair and a table packed (mostly) with food. Caridad then begins her life story – a combination of love stories, family feuds, broken relationships, murder, comedy, tragedy, and weight issues. She gets on and off a set of scales to begin a new chapter in her life. The audience participates by joining in the countdown for a projected “wheel of tragedy” game that leads to another visceral recounting of a life incident.
A video sequence (in Spanish with English subtitles) takes us through FATKARY’s relationship with her father. It is heartbreaking and relentless as she cowers behind the food-laden table. There is also a scene with a remote-controlled car that works effectively as an enhancement to another incident in this remarkable life story.
When Caridad finally peels off the Michelin Man-style body suit, the audience is already in submission, and yet there is still more to come. She reveals her new body and confidence, but still shows signs of vulnerability and damage as the stage is covered in popcorn and other foodstuffs. The musical ending is surprising and stupendous. It’s extraordinary and a must-see. Remarkably, this was the first time Caridad had performed the show in English.
Unforgettable.
Review by Tim Young.
The next performances of this show are at 8.30pm on Thursday, 30th October and at 7pm on Saturday, 1st November, at the Headgate Theatre. Tickets are available.
