Words: Libby Taylor (she/her)

4 stars

A captivating solo show exploring masculinity. As soon as Rory Aaron stepped on stage, we are transported into his world. He is a strong storyteller who uses his eyeline well to make it really feel like there are other characters in the room and, at other times, to make eye contact with the audience and ensure we feel included and involved. His comedic timing mean the jokes feel fresh and spontaneous, which offers a good contrast and balance to the darker and more serious themes. The scene where he is high deserves a special mention, as it is a prime example of this achievement and feels very believable.  

Rory performed the poetic script extremely naturally. Particularly impressive given the variety of stories and ideas covered. However, the audience are left wanting closure. There are too many unanswered questions, which made the message of the show unclear.

As for the visual aspects of the performance, the use of the lamps and the change in costume on stage was distracting and lost on me. The different colours and music used did add to the atmosphere, but I feel like this could be stronger in a venue with more technology available.

An interesting and impressive show, challenging ideas around masculinity.

This Town
Bunker One, Pleasance Courtyard
16:45
20-26 Aug