EDINBURGH 2012: BWW Reviews: BOY IN A DRESS at Stand 3, August 5

An autobiography recounted through ‘song, vaudeville, proselytising, striptease and postmodern philosophy’ on paper sounds a daunting show; especially at twenty past four on a Sunday afternoon. The reality is far from this as La JohnJoseph keeps one engaged, entertained and often amused for the entire length.

There is a lot in this show that I did not understand the relevance of but together it all somehow works. In a lesser show the songs, elaborate set and constantly changing costumes would have seemed to me a cover for the lack of content but not here, it all has its own bizarre place.

The show takes more or less the format of a one-woman monologue but this is to take nothing away from the contributions of Erin Hutching and Stephen Quinn. Erin is on stage for much of the performance taking up a variety of silent roles to mark the stages of La JohnJoseph’s life. Stephen is the occasional vocal light relief – not that the show is heavy - who spends much of his time off stage from where he responds to La JohnJoseph’s occasional questions.

The songs which are interspersed throughout the show are mainly performed by La JohnJoseph with the occasional excellent and over the top bit of miming. La JohnJoseph has an excellent voice reminiscent of – the not yet well appreciated enough – Patrick Wolf; songs are delivered with real depth and emotion. A highlight is the passive aggressive rendition of sweet child of mine which in itself reveals some of the complex relationship she has with her mother.

La JohnJoseph is a renaissance person, if the telling of this life-less ordinary is anything to go by. The songs are beautifully delivered, the stories are varied and well chosen as she chops and changes along the timeline of her life. Though the story is often grim the performance is full of humour and entertainment and also features a quite remarkable paper airplane dress.

Boy In a Dress is on at Stand 3 on York Place and runs until the 26^th of August every day except the 13^th..

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