★★★
Richard Stamp’s autobiographical one-man show is about receiving a cancer diagnosis. Beyond the terror and grief that accompanies a Doctor giving you such news, it’s further compounded by the cancer’s point of origin, namely Richard’s penis.
What follows is a whirlwind world tour where Stamp hops from continent to continent coming to terms with the idea that he will have to have his penis amputated to survive. He tells his personal and heart-wrenching story with candour, humour and not a moments self-pity.
Although billed as ‘containing film’, the projected sequences of broad comedy, and scene setting (including a strange Apocalypse Now reference of swaying penis leafed palm trees) felt like overkill, the reliance on filmed inserts were so numerous, we had far less time with the quietly charismatic Richard. James Chaplin’s writing gives the piece structure and pace and Ben Raines original soundtrack is fitting, but the sum of its parts can often be uneven.
The show also features graphic scenes of post-surgery and equally graphic descriptions of what it’s like to go through.
Still it’s an important show for all its brash humour, something I know audiences have gone to with similar experiences, and for that Richard’s show is a worthwhile endeavour, I hope it makes others who have gone through experiences like his, feel seen.
Dick Greenside @ Infirmary Street – Ivy Studio 16:00 (1hr) Aug 8-14, 15-20, 22-27 £10/6.50 14+
