Writer: Beth Watson
Director: P Burton Morgan
Hasbian follows the personal story of how Beth Watson navigates crushes, romantic entanglements, and sexuality in early 2000s teenage life. The set, designed around projection screens, is introduced early on with integrated audio descriptions that explain how Watson’s teenage diary, friends, and memories will be brought to life.
The fact that this is Beth Watson’s real teenage diary adds a sense of empowerment, showcasing how liberated and confident teenagers can be until hindered by adults, in this instance through Thatcher’s Section 28. The exploration of bisexuality and pansexuality erasure within the community sheds light on a complex issue contrasting with great moments of comedy through Beth’s outrageously upfront comments and thoughts.
Beth Watson plays both past self as a horny 14-year-old and present self, reflecting on how the political era shaped Beth’s view of sexuality. An endearing, bright-eyed ball of energy, however, Watson’s performance sometimes verges on over-enthusiastic, resulting in a lack of nuance and undermining the complexity of teenage emotions. Beth Watson ultimately wins over the audience in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere facilitated through panto-style audience interactions.
Edalia Day’s projection and creative caption design masterfully demonstrate how accessibility can enhance a story through iconic images and fonts that transport us to Beth Watson’s world. This design captures thoughts and feelings that resonate deeply making the experience even more relatable.
The performance occasionally feels stilted in the transitions and the pacing is a little out of sorts. Nevertheless, this show ultimately appeals to those who love a 90s/00s throwback whilst putting a magnifying glass to the political and cultural shifts that defined that era when it comes to gender identity and sexuality. It is better said in the poignant words of Beth Watson, ‘This show is for friends of Dorothy who struggle to feel at home’.
Runs until 29 June 2024
