There is not any scarcity of performs about ‘women’s issues’ on the stage, notably in fringe theatre. When difficult the established order they usually danger being slightly ‘in your face’, and a lecture is difficult work for an evening out. It additionally doesn’t essentially make for a persuasive argument, as it might alienate the very individuals you wish to inform. So it’s fabulously refreshing to return throughout Post Sex Spagbol, a chaotic comedy which nonetheless presents an clever and perceptive dialogue of womanhood and the relentless, contradictory expectations demanded by society, however does it with vibrant humour and polished, partaking…
Rating
Excellent
A sophisticated but chaotically comical and unapologetically candid exploration of the difficulties of contemporary womanhood.
There is not any scarcity of performs about ‘women’s issues’ on the stage, notably in fringe theatre. When difficult the established order they usually danger being slightly ‘in your face’, and a lecture is difficult work for an evening out. It additionally doesn’t essentially make for a persuasive argument, as it might alienate the very individuals you wish to inform. So it’s fabulously refreshing to return throughout Post Sex Spagbol, a chaotic comedy which nonetheless presents an clever and perceptive dialogue of womanhood and the relentless, contradictory expectations demanded by society, however does it with vibrant humour and polished, partaking efficiency. The story is instructed by a proficient trio: Katie Bignell (who additionally wrote the script) Georgia Wilson and Signe Ebbesen. Peculiarly, they multi-role, however all play the identical half…
We meet Krissy: she’s a little bit of a multitude and life is disappointing, like that post-sex bowl of spagbol that brings you proper again right down to earth. Krissy has been made the sex-ed trainer at an all-girls non secular boarding faculty, although she’s not certified. Well, she’s been handed the place by her dad, who’s the pinnacle trainer. She’s break up up from her boyfriend, who she needs again, and rowed together with her mum. As we discover Krissy’s pathetic life story it’s clear there’s an entire load of societal guidelines about find out how to be the proper of girl that she’s concurrently up towards, and collectively it’s all an excessive amount of. In this damaging state of mind she decides to combine issues up a bit and consciously provides unhealthy sex-advice to her pupils. What distinction can it make? Her recommendation is hilariously outrageous, as she ‘myth busts’ with the kids on contraception, kinky intercourse practices and masturbation. Who knew if in case you have intercourse within the daytime you’ll be able to’t get pregnant? It’s solely when one among her pupils takes her dreadful steerage that she realises there are penalties to her actions.
The three performers are an impressively agile ensemble, daring, bawdy and cheeky. Flailing condoms, glugging rosé and posing for selfies, they’re truly exposing unstated truths in regards to the difficulties of being a contemporary girl by way of Krissy’s pathetic life story. It’s hilarious and all very relatable however there’s understanding laughter and clear nods of recognition from the viewers. Truthfully, we establish these items however usually no-one talks truthfully about them.
The ‘mixing up’ can be taking place within the forged. Caitlin Lee Smith’s slick path sees roles being seamlessly handed between actors so the feminine voice and its message is clearly a shared one, throughout very totally different individuals. Simultaneously, Smith’s easy set selection of just some stark white bins is efficient, used innovatively to maneuver us from faculty to house to cemetery with out distraction, whereas additional characters are signalled by including just some vibrant costume equipment. Like the story, it’s all simply the precise measurement and form for a fringe venue.
Bignell’s script is pacy, sassy and incisive. She takes handfuls of a number of social taboos and waves them unashamedly on the viewers. Couched in comedy they might be, however by means of the laughter there’s a fierce recognition that another person is making the foundations for ladies and it’s time we should always take the stress off and simply be who we’re – all the identical in being totally different. Krissy’s finish monologue is a poignant climax of trustworthy self-discovery and admission, the place the phrases are shared between feminine actors, and it’s all of the extra transferring for it. Yes, Krissy isn’t good, however aren’t many people in the identical boat? And given social pressures on ladies, who’re we to guage her for it? This is a wonderful play: and that is what a feminist seems to be like.
Written by: Katie Bignell
Produced by Thistle & Rose Theatre
Directed by: Caitlin Lee Smith
Post Sex Spagbol performed as a part of VAULT Festival 2023. It has now accomplished its present run.