**** (4 stars)
“Immense personal courage”
As we enter the theatre we are greeted by a ravishingly beautiful young woman in a splendidly Victorian black dress, who thanks us for coming today.
We are seated: she moves centre stage, and thanks us again for coming to the funeral. Spotlit, draped in a transparent black veil, she moves towards the light streaming from an open door. She raises a glowing white handkerchief and lets it fall to the ground: we are plunged into darkness.
Diana Salles demonstrates not only extraordinary physical dance and circus skills but also immense personal courage as she invites us into her world, to being to have an inkling of what it’s like to be a trans woman. Change is an inevitable and essential part of everyone’s life, but not everyone can face up to, adapt to necessary change with such naked honesty.
The time we spend with her is full of joy and beauty, but also pain and struggle, with moments of humiliation and despair among the glitter and glamour. Words, music, light, spectacle all make their contribution to Diana’ story: through it all her strength and determination carry her onwards.
So many incredible moments. The whole first section, with scarlet cloths streaming around a huge hoop; Diana peeling away layers and layers of restrictive mourning clothes and finally swinging free. Free of the restrictions of gravity, free to defy expectations and climb, plummet, twist and swing as though she had wings… Gathering up all the scarlet cloth after it’s fallen to the ground, cradling it tenderly, caressing the wee ‘child’ in her arms… The tensions between the feminine and masculine body language and ways of walking… The incredible grace of her feet and toes when she’s on the ground and in the air… The clash between the pouring out of grief and the feistiness of the warrior…
The final image is the one I want to remember – Diana, now clad in a shiny pink frock with a wonderfully exuberant skirt whirls round and round, a radiant smile on her face, as rose petals fall from the ceiling. Proud and joyful, we join her in celebrating her life and the truth she has chosen to manifest.
A standing ovation is the only possible reaction.
Delusional – I Killed a Man, Main Hall at Summerhall, (Venue 26), RUN ENDED for more information go to: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/delusional-i-killed-a-man
ScotsGay Arts 