The Dan Shaw Show. Trafo House of Contemporary Arts. Budapest Sept 28th 2023

https://youtu.be/_4ECJywf008 Dan’s show reel not a show trailer

This was a remarkable and original piece of theatre – although at times it also felt a bit like sitting in on a therapy session. The performer is neuro-divergent/disabled/Queer/from working-class background and is very (exceptionally) careful to take into account anyone who may, in some way, be adversely affected by what he says/does/wants to happen in theatrical terms. Hence, therefore, the list of trigger warnings prominently displayed and some words at the start about being free to move about if felt necessary.

The show explored the relationship between two men, in subtle Sub/Dom terms (starting from an initial casual (Grindr-style?) encounter – there was not a clear dramatic play-style scenario but rather it was the changing dynamics of the developing ‘relationship and what happened was very carefully graded –and subtly. There was no full nudity and the depiction of the climactic sexual act was very effective, and most unusual. I felt it was very clever the way the encounter and dialogue managed to seem both very real with a string improvisatory quality and yet, simultaneously, everything, down to the last detail, was clearly planned. Intriguing.

Music and sound (with due warnings at the start) were an important part of the scenario and very effective. And the ending was VERY unexpected when Dan appeared in a wonderfully exotic costume – a long skirt and with claw/tentacle-like costume attached to his upper body which was then inflated with air. Very effective – to show what joy he was able to have from what we had just seen? Maybe. But it provided a marvelous climax.

The Nutcracker. Birmingham Royal Ballet. Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham. Dec . 6th 2023

Guys & Dolls. Bridge Theatre, London. July 8th 2023