Asexuality!

Theatre (comedy, music)

  • Accessibility:
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
  • Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
  • Policy applies to: Children under 2 years

Description

What does it mean to be a man in the 21st century? How does toxic masculinity affect those of us assigned male at birth? What's so great about sex, and why won't people shut up about it for two goddamn seconds and just let me play my video games in peace?! Written and performed by transgender artist Rebecca McGlynn, Asexuality! is an autobiographical musical comedy about Rebecca's pre-transition life. The story follows Robert, an asexual man navigating a hypersexual world. Through music and comedy, he explores sex, romance, love, loss… and, eventually, her true gender identity.

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General venue access

  • Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
  • Accessible entry: Patrons enter the building via either 3 shallow steps or the platform lift at the front of the building. Please note the platform lift is only suitable for manual wheelchairs and not power wheelchairs. The Nip can be accessed via the building lift to the 1st floor. The Accessible toilet is located on the Basement level. Please make yourself known to a member of staff (in a pink t-shirt) if you require assistance or require a specific seat.
  • Wheelchair access type: Building Lift

  • Stairs: Information not supplied

Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info


How and when to make an access booking

Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:

  • Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
  • Requires extra assistance when at a venue
  • Has specific seating requirements
  • Is a wheelchair user
  • Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance

Neil T. 24 days ago

Rebecca McGlynn is a one-woman tour-de-force in her autobiographical musical. It is rare enough for asexuality to be featured in any kind of media, so it was a privilege to see the topic tackled with such precision and boldness in live theatre. Rebecca's acting chops never falter throughout this highly strenuous show, where she has to play and interplay with at least a dozen characters (including pre-recorded ones), all of which are differentiated clearly and convincingly, and each scene of the musical is delivered with a conviction to communicate her truth. I was still more impressed with her rich, well-trained voice (a baritone for all transmascs to envy), which harmonised to great effect with pre-recorded versions of herself.

While the narrative of the musical remains unfinished (as Rebecca's life is in progress), this is no detriment to the structure of the performance, which has all the hallmarks of a musical. We start in medias res from a chorus introduction number, get immersed in character songs that bolster the power of the text, and are rewarded with meaningful reprises (!!!). Each number was crafted with care and delivered in buckets of pathos, even with the sensitive and uncomfortable nature of some material. Rebecca's portrayal of "Robert" from his occasional bigotry to self-acceptance is a grim reflection of an ignorant society, and the emotional eleventh-hour number had me choking up because of how painfully relatable it was.

Rebecca talks about the importance of finding an accurate parallel to represent ace people in media, and I think she has to succeeded in creating one powerful representation. I had never related so viscerally to a performance. What are the odds of also having met a loved one who does G&S and doing British comic opera together (at the Fringe, even)? Swap our genders and swap vocalists for instrumentalists, add a different ending, and you get some of my story. That was how close it cut to the bone. Perhaps not all trans aspec folk relate to this intersection, but Rebecca McGlynn's "Asexuality!" is a much-needed voice in LGBTQ+ theatre and media, and a must-see when anyone, straight or queer, gets the chance to.

Mike Lemme 33 days ago

Loved it at Fringe. Will love it even more on Broadway. Excellent show. Highly recommend.

Declan 'TéléDex-BaBrBo' Bracewell 34 days ago

A marvellous autobio journey through a life that was spent going through working out the idea of sexuality and feeling that there are many things better than sex, and asexuality just didn't exist in the media spotlight, then realising that her trans identity was also there in the background and that she wasn't sure of it, or if she could be attracted to lesbian women. All of these messages to watch at Patter House seems so magical and unique, and I definitely found the story worthwhile to watch. It was perfect timing of mine to watch both this and 'A Shark Boy...' on the same day. They work very well together as part of a queer day at Fringe.

Em F 34 days ago

It was a wonderful, relatable show that represented both the trans and asexual experience in an honest, hilarious way. I couldn’t recommend it enough

Abigail Paul 35 days ago

This show rises far above any preconceived notions that it is 'merely' about sexuality. Through its deft multi-disciplinary blend of original music, video art, and a captivating live performance, it kept me gripped for the full running time, constantly wondering what imaginative twist would come next. It is smart, well-written and performed from the heart. I absolutely loved it and would dare anyone of any gender or sexual orientation not to do the same. Inspiring, must-see solo work.

Zoe Brookes 43 days ago

I stayed up late to satisfy my curiousity about this underaired topic and I wasn't disappointed. I was BLOWN AWAY! This show is a magnificent Tour de Force by a stunningly talented actor and writer. Don't be fooled by the simple set and small venue, this show is deep, incisive, funny, hearbreaking, and devastatingly, authentically honest. Come with your mind, heart, ears and eyes open, you won't be disappointed.

Laser Malena-Webber 43 days ago

This show is devastating and hilarious. It’s a new perspective on the world with valuable messages, while also being personal and cathartic.

Becca is a multi-talented genius and this show is an absolute revelation. From tackling the over-sexualization in toxic masculinity to her trans coming out journey, Becca crafts a beautiful, hilarious story that is enthralling from beginning to end.

Colin 44 days ago

This was a brilliant show on many levels: the energy and talent of Rebecca; the messages presented in (very slick) dialogue with pre-recorded videos of different parts of 'robert'; the perfect mixture of comedy and deep emotion, the overall journey/story and the often moving or comedic life incidents; the songs, everything!

It was, i believe, also incredibly informative and in many ways paralleled my own personal journey of exploration so far around my sexuality and gender identity and in this I found it most affirming (thankyou)

I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Sean Davis 45 days ago

Asexuality! (****)
Robert’s tale of his life as an asexual man who must endure a society obsessed with sex caught my heart. His use of a pre-recorded video of three versions of himself as advisors seemed trite at first, but was used to great effect. I was impressed how he was careful to ensure that his recent revelation did not diminish the message of acceptance of his piece.

This is the 10th most enjoyable of the 53 shows I have seen so far at the Fringe this year. I hope to see almost 200. You may see my other three-sentence reviews, in order from most enjoyable to worst, at my non-commercial website: https://fringefan.com/

Adrian Speed 45 days ago

As a friend of many asexual and trans people, I felt this musical was incredibly emotionally honest and echoed sentiments I'd heard before from a dozen mouths. The music and singing was excellent and achieved brilliant harmony within a one person show. The late night slot might make it difficult for some to see but I promise its worth the trip.


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Lost in Theatreland (4/5 stars) 30 days ago

This is a very entertaining show that also manages to remain impactful.

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.