Buff

Theatre (lgbtq+, solo show)

  • Pleasance Courtyard - Pleasance Below
  • 13:50
  • Aug 28
  • 1 hour
  • Suitability: 18+ (Guideline)
  • Country: United Kingdom - England
  • Group: Sibearita Productions, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Pleasance
  • Warnings and additional info: This show contains, Homophobia, strong language, sexual references and derogatory references to body size and shape.
  • Accessibility:
    Audio enhancement system
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    Captioning
    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

After a bad break-up from a six-year relationship, a plus-sized, gay, primary school teacher decides to sublet his flat to a buff Instagram model. Funny yet poignant, this solo-performed play tackles body image pressures, social media jealousy, and one man's journey to self-acceptance whilst navigating the toxic world of online dating. Fresh from its five-star, award-nominated run at VAULT Festival, Buff is a hilarious yet timely story about being plus-sized in the gay community. Starring Dublin-born actor and comedian Pearse Egan (In from the Side, Netflix).

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General venue access

  • Audio enhancement system
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    Captioning
  • Accessible entry: Queue in cobbled courtyard. Access to space via locked lift, please notify venue ahead of your visit if you require use of the lift and ask at Info Shed upon arrival for access.
  • Wheelchair access type: Building Lift

  • Stairs: 2 - 5
    Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.

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


Captioned performances

  • Dates: 20 August
  • Type: Open
  • Booking options: You can book independently online, or contact our access team to book your tickets and request any specific seating locations or if booking a unit is required.

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

Dazza 32 days ago

This show is a must see. From start to finish the actor delivering the monologue was so convincing in his style and delivery you had no doubt that it was his own story. He was engaging, and delivered some important lessons in respect of internal beauty, and how as a race we are all to keen to judge on what we perceive beauty to be.

Declan 'TéléDex-BaBrBo' Bracewell 39 days ago

From the first time, Pearse Egan sat down on stage, he gave an outstanding monologue, one which I thought was his own, instead of Ben Fensome's, obviously credit to him and I must watch a future play of his. It was definitely one of those dramedies which were beyond believable and I was hooked. And the scenes at Primary school, so touching. You'll love this show.

Jackie 42 days ago

This one-man play must be an incredibly difficult show to do but Pearse pulls it off to perfection. Emotional, dark, hard hitting, a wonderfully honest tale of one man's loneliness. Grimly beautiful. I absolutely loved it.

Fiona Smith 44 days ago

Superb show. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Handed a flyer and certainly wasn’t disappointed. One man show and extremely well put together.

Sean Davis 52 days ago

Buff (***)
A self-acknowledged fat gay teacher presents only his words from of a variety of conversations with his roommate, his fourth grade students, his dates, and his supervisor. His vulnerability permeates the conversations as he frequently comments on bodies and gay issues. Every conversation had the ring of truth, including his interactions with the students.


This is the 17th most enjoyable of the 28 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/


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

Playbill 32 days ago

Buff soars thanks to its clever and heartfelt script, and a beautiful performance by Pearse Egan.

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Broadway World (3/5 stars) 34 days ago

Pearse gives a solid performance in this solo show that looks at issues such as fatphobia and homophobia with sensitivity.

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West End Best Friend (4/5 stars) 39 days ago

A wonderfully written story told with honesty and truth.

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British Theatre Guide (4/5 stars) 41 days ago

Relatable and funny!

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Culture Fix (4/5 stars) 41 days ago

Buff strikes an impressive balance between comic drama and examination of hard-hitting themes of the power of self-worth, toxic gay dating, and the perils of social media. Egan brings this to life with an undeniable skill.

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The Queer Review (4/5 stars) 43 days ago

Bold, funny and deeply moving, Buff is a searing examination of body image, exclusion and the struggle for self-acceptance.

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Theatre Weekly (3/5 stars) 43 days ago

A powerful story with an even more powerful performance

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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.

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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.