0.39°C Paul T. Davies reviews Spit It Out, staged at the Headgate.
It’s a welcome home for this trans comedy, created by a local collective of queer theatre makers. First created and presented earlier this year at Lakeside Theatre, University of Essex, the show returns after successful runs at the Brighton Fringe and Kings Head Theatre.
Emily doesn’t know how to come out as a trans woman to her bigoted boss, ignorant family, and toxic dating pool. The longer she takes to come out, the greater the strain grows on her closest friendship. Whatever happens, one terrible inevitability approaches fast: Emily seems doomed to end up alone.
The aim to present a trans led narrative on stage is achieved with ease; a semi-autobiographical play written by Alice K Stephens that raises important questions, calling for understanding and respect. I felt, however, that the stakes could have been higher. The play felt a little cautious and needed to really confront the transphobia that people suffer, but writers can only write from a place of personal comfort.
What is not in doubt is the commitment to the subject displayed by the collective, and it’s well performed by a trio of actors. Willow McDonald captures Emily’s shyness and awkwardness, although her diction occasionally dropped. Both Robyn Faye and Isobel Sheard are strong ensemble players, multi rolling with ease, particularly effective is an obnoxious, highly misogynistic boss, making everyone’s skin crawl with ease.
Occasionally, they all delivered some lines to the floor, which was a common problem with actors. This made the performers look a little self-conscious at times, but the energy was excellent. A sequence using puppets as potential hookups on a dating app is an original idea, but maybe played for just a bit too long.
The play has lots of heart and speaks its truth well, and there are definitely opportunities to raise the issues further. However, it’s the kind of show that Fringe Festivals exist for and a narrative that needs to be heard.
