Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh
Using snippets of pop culture, lip-syncing, video and clowning, the pair craft a rich exploration of eating disorders and gender dysphoria
Frankie Thompson, resplendent in floor-length pink tutu, and Liv Ello, hair slicked back and wearing a tux, are frozen in pose above a giant white mound, the perfect wedding cake toppers. The heteronormative pastiche sets the tone for a show about gendered expectations placed upon bodies, forcing their owners into uncomfortable spaces.
Thompson’s Catts and Ello’s Swarm were standout shows at last year’s Edinburgh festival. Both were cross-genre adventures merging clowning, multimedia and lots of laughs. This year, the pair combine to bring their distinctive take on theatre to new heights.
