This is a show that I can only describe as 'grotesque'. I mean grotesque as it was originally interpreted (think Dickens and Mrs Malaprop, for instance). They were in fact beautifully grotesque.
Woman and Man are portrayed by the brilliantly physical comics, Tessa Waters and Kai Smythe, respectively. Starting with Adam and Eve, until they reach the present day, Man and Woman take you on a journey of awkward mating rituals. There were times when the audience cringed knowingly at the gauchness of Man's behaviour, unafraid to show his feelings of lust with a lot of tongue waggling and leering; really sleazy, and funny. There were many laughs as his expense.
And, they were brave, with few words and even fewer clothes. The man spoke not one word and yet his feelings were clear, whether lust, anger or possessiveness. They flirted with a couple of audience members, with fun and sometimes aggression, in a grotesque sort of way. The nightclub mating ritual was the highlight for me, with some well observed and awkward moments that many of us would recognise.
Both were able to convey so much meaning in an arch of an eyebrow. Don’t go to this show if you’re easily shocked, there's some bare skin (quite a lot of it) and uninhibited scenes of all too true to life mating rituals. Do go if you want to laugh!
What they talked about: Sex, Adam and Eve, mating rituals.
Show details: 9:20pm at Underbelly Cowgate. BOOK HERE
Rating: 
Liz Waters
