Jake Mace
No corner of Queer history appears to be left uncovered by Tea Wade’s epic whistle-stop tour through the history of LGBTQIA+ visibility. From a moment of sudden and disparate clarity in the bathroom of a Casino in Reno, Nevada, Tea comes to the realisation that they need to research more about the reason society has expectations of gender and gendered individuals. The result? An hour-long escapade delving into the furthest corners of identity and representation spanning centuries, nay, millennia.
Wade carries the show with an infectious buoyancy. The themes of the piece are covered in a consistently thorough and comprehensive manner, with the main themes of the piece focusing on the queer histories of the things we use to express ourselves – clothes, make-up, colours, jewellery, and everything in between. Given the pure breadth on display here, it’s remarkable how engaged with the very ephemeral and corporeal moments of gender euphoria and queer expression Wade is. Every turn of the story takes time to honour the shoulders of Queer giants, as well as those working in academia, and historical figures who helped turn the page.
Despite this, Wade never fawns over the subject matter. The piece comes across one-half essay styled as Spoken Word, and one half transient exploration of meanings across time, all pooled together in Wade’s characteristic charismatic central performance. Everything is done with an accessible, light touch that honours the audience whether they identify as Queer or not. Wade picks a token ‘White Straight Man’ at the start of the with whom Wade establishes good banter, part of an assemblage of engagement with the audience that never alienates or feels exclusionary.
It’s such a warm, fuzzy environment in the room, as you come under Wade’s beck and call to actively listen, and engage with the topics on display. Always done with a light touch, yet serving the gravitas to delight, entertain, and inspire. The choice to deliver (nearly) the entire piece in rhyming couplets from Wade pays off, their lyrical abilities honestly quite masterful throughout as they prove their ability to work through the rather wordy and academic language into some flowery, poignant, beautiful sections too. The piece carries an arc that delivers, and it’s much to everyone’s relief that Wade carries the tone dutifully and with flair in this solo performance.
Multimedia elements were clearly a large part of this solo performance in its’ previous incarnations, and finding themselves in a venue without a projector, a little bit more fine-tuning could be done to ensure that the piece doesn’t look like it’s lacking anything without them. Some moments came across a little static, but I think this is all part of the premise undertaking evolution. Once Wade has settled into performing without the accompanying presentation, I’m sure it will grow from strength-to-strength.
Ambitious, affirming, and endlessly fascinating, Wade keeps us hanging on their every breath.
Recommended Drink: Can I advise a cup of tea? Is that a bad joke? I’m gonna do it anyway.
Catch Tea Wade: MANDRILL until August 25th at Just the Tonic at the Caves – Just Out of the Box from 22:40. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
