Words: Charlie Sampson

5 stars

Having seen Wet Mess perform in short dynamic bursts at queer club nights, I was intrigued to see whether the quality would carry through their full-length debut. Testo carries all the charisma of their club performances with an added depth and context to what we see in their usual humorous mimicry of masculinity.

The work is auto ethnographic in its inquiry, weaving verbatim delivery of interviews from different gender queer people. There are some particularly beautiful accounts, from simple descriptions of how it feels to stand on a bus, to people’s anecdotes of coming out to friends and family. Wet Mess’ movement is exquisite, precise in its intention and morphing seamlessly to inhabit each interviewee. The brilliant sound design carries us through all the different states we find ourselves in.

The production quality and design are exceptionally high, with a beautiful set from which costumes emerge and then are seamlessly reabsorbed. The set shifts and morphs throughout, with what appear like long pregnancy pillows shifting into phallic structures, into a pair of legs, into a chaise longue. An LED sign sends us messages throughout, scaffolding the work with heart-breaking and resonant sentiments; “This is not a dream. You are afraid. But you are awake.”

Testo doesn’t come to any tidy conclusions, we experience moments of euphoria alongside moments of great grief and fear, mere minutes apart. The show is brilliantly executed, and Wet Mess is a deeply promising artist to watch in years to come.

Testo – Here & Now Showcase
Zoo Southside Main House
20:30
31-25 Aug