Normal – Old Joint Stock, Birmingham

Writer: Thomas Levi

Normal is a cuttingly humorous one-person show, telling the story of an actor struggling with the ‘performativeness’ of gay culture and his own gay identity. In Birmingham as part of the SHOUT Festival, it contains some sharp moments of wit and self-recognition as well as commentary on current times. This piece is an intriguing addition to the wide array of one-person shows out there.

We meet the unnamed protagonist as he waits to be called into an audition for the role of “Sebastian – gay name.” He’s been given castings for “gay characters” ever since he came out to his agent and he’s not sure he agrees with the performance of “gayness.” He tells us about his ex-boyfriend, who always seemed so “normal” in private, but in public, turned up the campness – seemingly only for the benefit of others. The actor goes to Pride, which he doesn’t enjoy, but meets a drag performer named George with whom there is some romance and some learning for him. His staunchly straight brother says he’s got him an interview for a real job, that maybe it’s time the actor settled down, which he (the actor) hates. The hurt goes away when the brothers get some sad news. the actor copes with this news in a variety of ways, including going back to his ex for comfort. But his ex may be the one who turns the actor’s perspective on its head.

The Old Joint Stock Theatre is perfect for one-person shows like this. It’s intimate and closely packed, so it’s easy for a performer to talk directly to the audience. Thomas Levi, writer and performer of the show, uses the heightened, performative language and physicality that is recognisable in one-person plays, which at times is clever or funny or hard-hitting, but mostly doesn’t feel quite at home in Levi’s performance. This may be a trick, designed by the writer/performer, to make the audience think more about the questions of the play, but it feels more removed, as if he wants us to think he’s smarter than he is.

Levi moves between characters, accents, and personas swiftly, but frequently utilises tired “camp” stereotypes to showcase these people. The actor is referred to as “the most homophobic gay in the world,” and his portrayals of other gay people support that. However, it can be hoped that he may change his ways yet, due to the influence of some critical people in his life. The ending tries to be cathartic and moving but needs a little more clarity and space to be impactful. Levi might also need to slow down a bit – the hour-long performance was 15 minutes shorter than expected.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community will probably enjoy this play, non-members will also probably enjoy it. Levi is endearing, despite his views, and does have some moments of greatness speckled throughout (“set a corpse on fire”). It’s important to see and to support work like this, if only to honour that each of us has different stories and different “Pokémon Go monsters” to battle: to hear and share in the actor’s tale. Support young theatre makers and local theatres and get yourself a ticket!

Runs until: 21 April 2023