★★★★
Stuart Waters’ show, is an evening of community, visibility, honesty, and joyous togetherness. With six different pieces on display, spanning two short films, a photography series, a stiletto artist, a cabaret act, and a dance theatre piece, the show really was a collision – a collision of generations, of mediums, of self-expression, all drawn together into one evening with a laser focus. The five performers, four live and one appearing in a short film, may seem very different, but they are nevertheless all united by the same feeling, the determination to be themselves, tell their stories, and be visible in today’s world.
The embedded audio description throughout, spoken by the performers as part of their pieces, made for a beautiful, easily accessible evening for d/Deaf and Blind theatregoers.
The two short films, shown with subtitles and audio description in the foyer as part of the pre-show experience, are personal narratives of Sophie Rebecca, a trans ballerina, and Ebony Rose Dark, a visually impaired cabaret artist who will take the stage later on. Both of these films, shot in theatre spaces and narrated by the subjects themselves, carry the theatrical beating heart of the artists, and demonstrate their desire to be themselves through their respective crafts.
Rajan Das’ immersive piece, is an expertly crafted study of femininity. Fiercely confident and magnetic to watch, I was completely blown away by the visual detail of his movements, and the elements of femininity he chose to speak of and focus on, are the hallmarks of a very intelligent performer.
Ebony Rose Dark treated us to a cabaret, delivered with joy and a powerful elegance. With a wicked choice of songs and a warm, assured style, Ebony entertained and delighted in a way that was exclusively their own.
Stuart Waters and Willie Elliot’s piece, which followed, is built on a bedrock of unshakeable chemistry between the two men. Willie was just magic, supremely lovable and very funny, while Stuart was the foil to that in every way that mattered; classic, sexy, and with an ability to move and dance to music that seems ingrained in his very being. This show is an extremely powerful blend of personal stories and wider queer history, and serves as a sharp reminder of how modern these equality landmarks really are. I often forget quite how recently LGBTQ+ people gained some of the freedoms I see as the norm, and hearing Willie and Stuart’s stories of their youth in the late 20th Century was a really sharp jolt, but I was left with such a strong sense of community, hope, and togetherness which feels extremely comforting in today’s society.
My lasting impression of all of this, at the end of the night, was that as well as being incredibly talented, all of these performers never let us forget that they are just people. They’re just people, some queer, disabled, neurodivergent people, expressing themselves and who they are in a way that they love, and in a way that can be shared with their whole community.
Review by Rachel Elphick
A Queer Collision was at The Lakeside Arts, Nottingham
