Writer & Director: Ella Skolimowski
Looking Cis is a window into an almost believable reality show that might actually leave a viewer more enlightened after watching it. Ella Skolimowski writes, acts, and directs in this one hander, playing a version of herself as she gets kicked off the reality show that’s in search of “the NBist NB” in Ireland. Ella is critiqued and ejected for a number of reasons; her outspoken political stance, her potentially controversial statements, but primarily her appearance as conventionally cis female while classing herself as non-binary.
The format as a reality show is a thoughtful choice, it allows Skolimowski to explore two aspects in a short space of time; the performative and the reflective. Though the humour tends to come from the relentless questioning from the disembodied post-ejection interviewer, perhaps the most enjoyable point in the play is her monologue that takes the audience through her life and her experience of gender.
This production has plenty to recommend it; Skolimowski’s writing is smart and well-paced and at points deftly emotionally nuanced, there is plenty of tongue in cheek humour, there are some moments of real connection with the audience that are special to be a part of, there is some clever use of pre-recorded audio and video clips to add variety and take the pressure off Skolimowski monologuing for the full hour, and there’s a dance number exactly when you need it. However, by far the most interesting part of the show is the deep exploration of a topic that doesn’t often come under the microscope, and from the perspective of someone with a fascinating view on it. If you are interested in learning more about one person’s reality of being non-binary, Looking Cis is a great opportunity to do so.
It would be remiss not to mention some of the issues with the production; while the use of the recordings adds a lot, the quality of them is a little lacking, and the placement of the screen means that a seat further from the front is recommended if you want to get the most from the viewing. That said, it shouldn’t keep you from spending an hour in the Teacher’s Club this week with Ella Skolimowski. If the intention of this one hander is to open a dialogue about perceptions of non-binary people, and to provoke thoughts about our own relationship to gender then it is a roaring success. If the intention is to entertain then it still hits the mark. Either way, it’s an hour well spent.