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I first encountered Faun’s author Vinnie Heaven in 2019 by way of their great auto-biographical present She’s a Good Boy. It was a present that left a robust imprint in my thoughts, and one I consult with usually as I strive my hardest to raised perceive a subject that may nonetheless be a social and political minefield: gender identification. And don’t inform them this (I don’t need to look like a stalker) however since then, I’ve saved an eye fixed on their profession! Which brings us properly to Faun. Whilst Heaven might not carry out, it’s abundantly clear that central character Ace is…
Rating
Excellent
An uplifting, cleverly written and intensely humorous story of studying to take up house once more, while you’ve spent all of your life attempting to go as unnoticed as attainable.
I first encountered Faun’s author Vinnie Heaven in 2019 by way of their great auto-biographical present She’s a Good Boy. It was a present that left a robust imprint in my thoughts, and one I consult with usually as I strive my hardest to raised perceive a subject that may nonetheless be a social and political minefield: gender identification. And don’t inform them this (I don’t need to look like a stalker) however since then, I’ve saved an eye fixed on their profession!
Which brings us properly to Faun. Whilst Heaven might not carry out, it’s abundantly clear that central character Ace could be very a lot a projection of themself and the battles they’ve needed to battle to get to the place they now are.
Ace (Aitch Wylie) is couch browsing, about to hit couch quantity 13 on the residence of buddy Paige (Nyah Randon) and her boyfriend Ant (Afton Moran). The tone is ready instantly as Ace breaks the fourth wall for a fast etiquette session on the do’s and don’ts of couch browsing, together with the golden rule of realizing while you’ve outstayed your welcome lengthy earlier than your host has realised it.
Oh, and simply to complicate issues, Ace is slowing turning right into a faun, a half-goat, half-human creature identified for wonderful abilities in flute and dancing – one thing performed upon to nice impact all through, though this faun won’t but have fairly mastered these practices! Turning right into a faun actually isn’t supreme although while you’re attempting to go unnoticed, when all you actually need to do is slot in quietly and never danger shedding one other couch to sleep on.
As analogies go, it’s each intelligent and amusing, however extra importantly, an unimaginable strategy to current the complexities of gender identification. Heaven’s message is evident, and in tonight’s amazingly various viewers, is acquired with cheers and wild whooping. It’s a robust message of studying to stay your individual life, of not having to vary to slot in, however as an alternative discovering a spot the place you’ll be able to comfortably be your self. It’s additionally about by no means having to apologise for who you might be.
Wylie’s Ace is an excellent presence all through, their comedian timing matching the script’s sturdy humour. But as sassy as they’re, in addition they undertaking the vulnerability that humour so usually masks. Alongside Wylie, Randon’s function as Paige doesn’t go away her an important deal to play with, however she does come alive rather more when she returns later as Doe. Moran has enjoyable as barely goofy boyfriend Ant, though it’s their later function as Plant that threatens to steal the limelight, wordlessly expressing every part required with a masterclass of mime.
The present does wander dangerously into kitsch and cabaret late on, and while tonight’s viewers delights on this, it presumably dangers shedding a few of us. For myself, it drags us out of the story somewhat. But hey, this present isn’t aimed toward an viewers of middle-aged straight white males, so it’s in all probability probably not going to matter an excessive amount of.
Faun is so clearly based mostly on Heaven’s life, even when the essential premise is farfetched. The story is advised with the humour I so fondly recall from She’s a Good Boy and which marks Heaven out as a author to admire and watch. It’s a captivating and shaggy dog story that may fill you with pleasure and pure happiness to see that here’s a younger artist who might have struggled to seek out their place (or couch) at occasions, however judging by tonight’s reception, they’re clearly on the best way to discovering peace with the world.
Written by: Vinnie Heaven
Directed by: Debbie Hannan
Lighting design by: Laura Howard
Sound design by: Mwen
Movement route by: Chi-San Howard
Produced by: Jack Wakely on behalf of Cardboard Citizens, Alphabetti Theatre and Theatre 503
Faun performs at Theatre503 till 29 April. Further info and bookings may be discovered right here.
The present may even be enjoying at Plymouth, Birmingham, Salford and Bristol in May. FUll dates may be discovered right here.