★ ★ ★ ★
Laurence Owen stands centre stage in an amphitheatre that might as well be a Roman Colosseum. There is something perfect that this autobiographical show is set in a literal ring. It feels like a battle is about to take place.
Laurence begins by showing us a video of himself on his smartphone, talking about famous trans men and those that are trans masculine, everyone from Chaz Bono to Elliot Page. He mocks his former self’s naivety at saying he’s not trans, when a trans man is holding that very phone.
He sings Rocketman, duetting with himself, and there is a lot of mirroring between ‘old voice and new voice’. Laurence keeps throwing himself into the ring, arguing with an invisible tormentor, perhaps themselves, perhaps a transphobic and bigoted society.
Owen’s monologue takes us on a journey of self-discovery. Some Other Mirror shows the huge conflict that can arise in just wanting to be yourself. He bare’s himself (literally) in this work, and for the first time I held a can of ‘Tostran 2% Gel’ a physical symbol of transitioning. He applies the testosterone gel to his torso, explaining that it is now an act of mundanity that provides a wondrous change.
The part about not fitting in in an online space for trans men, being labelled ‘submissive’ and a ‘baby gay’ hit home. He expertly weaves the autistic experience around being trans, showing the humanity and truth in both.
Chronic Insanity Theatre are a group for innovative work, and developing new talent. They certainly fulfilled their brief with Some Other Mirror. I did feel the work was still in development, very much like a transition. But we salute the importance of centring trans autistic voices, Laurence deserves to have his work taken seriously, developed and put out to a wider public desperately in need of an education.
Some Other Mirror Pianodrome at The Old Royal High (Amphitheatre) 19:00 Aug 8-9, 11-12, £10-8 18+
