A production which is about much more than being stuck in an airport. Summary
Rating
Good!
Giant glowing eggs, scaly lizard people, and horses with gleaming red eyes: if a play with these aspects sounds interesting to you then Chicken or Fish? may be worth watching. Advertised as “a queer self-discovery immigrant play giving an insight into the life of an international student”, Chicken or Fish? is an autobiographical production telling the story of Vasya (Bee Edwards). They come to the UK from Eastern Europe initially to study, but in the process, discover their true self outside of the identity they carried with them from their homeland.
This play is beautifully written and directed. At certain points, the story is told through a narrative device, as Vasya speaks directly to the audience about awkward moments in the airport, their time in the UK, their struggles to fit in at their university, and the learning experience they have undergone, discovering their identity as a queer person. At other points, the play is poetic, almost reminiscent of Allen Ginsberg’s Howl. Here, the story transforms so that the audience, rather than observing Vasya from an outside position, shifts perspective to really empathise with them. This sense of empathy is particularly prominent in one scene where Vasya sits directly in front of a mirror trying to figure themself out, while simultaneously contemplating how to survive in a chaotic world which may or may not be inhabited by metaphoric lizard people and being chased by demonic horses and two giant eggs; all of which represent Vasya’s anxieties about ‘coming out of their shell’ and being content with that.
The lighting and set design synchronise with the story in a manner which is profound and even haunting at times. It is clear that, as Vasya is going through their journey of self-discovery, there are times when they can be open about themselves and their identity, and during these moments, the light is bright; but there are only a few of these occasions, and they are very brief when they appear. Most of the time, Vasya is confused and lonely, and to capture these feelings, the lighting almost splits Vasya into an image of light and shadow. At other points, it transforms from being Noir-like to flashing red, to greyish tones that further emphasise Vasya’s anxieties about their life and the claustrophobic loneliness which engulfs them.
The show aims to reveal the internal and external challenges faced by an international student from Eastern Europe. Edwards is convincing as a British person facing challenges, but not convincing as an individual from Eastern Europe. Even with powerful poetic moments, it is therefore challenging at times to empathise with the character of Vasya.
Nevertheless, this autobiographical play is nicely written and worth watching. It gives an interesting insight into a queer individual’s beleaguered attempt to make a journey of discovery.
Written by: George Newman
Directed by: Angelina Voznesenskaia
Lighting Designer: Benedict Case
Sound Designer: Karim Shohdy
Chicken or Fish? Is playing at the SPID Theatre until Friday August 22
