Repression

The joy of the fringe for me is to find a show that makes one think and feel. This production did both. A tense thriller and a dark examination of the scars and repressions of two men, Alex a business man who has on the outside has a successful career and a comfortable lifestyle but is discontent and resentful and Danny an escort who copes with the traumas of his past by refusing to deal with them. Both men are damaged and a clever script ensures that the audience is kept guessing who is the most dangerous. A combination of great writing, outstanding performances and subtle direction made this a powerful and thought provoking fringe show.

Two men from different backgrounds meet, one Alex, a successful business man and the other Danny a male escort. As the play develops their dark secrets are revealed. Alex, his repressed sexuality and Danny his abusive past. The toxicity rises to an explosive surface. The two amazing actors fully live their characters both jockeying for power. A powerful and moving performance from James Cumming is equally matched by Ben Igoe who wrote the play. The direction was superb creating an atmosphere of tension and danger. Well worth watching.

'Repression' is not an easy watch; but then, it is not supposed to be. Packing a surprising amount into their half-hour, two talented performers take a long, steely look at themes of trauma, power dynamics, and judgement: both self-judgement and the unconscious judgements we make of others. Doing this through the lens of the life of a male escort and a repressed client makes for a deceptively complex story, providing plenty of scope to challenge some preconceptions and stereotypes through emotional characterisation and some unexpected character development. Not one to miss for anyone looking for a darker, grittier flavour to their Fringe experience.