Rachael’s Cafe
Toner salesman Eric Wininger’s real life transformation into cafe owner Rachael makes for surprisingly engaging viewing in this simple one-woman show, with Graham Elwell welcoming us to her inclusive cafe in Bloomington, Indiana and even passing round cookies.
Whilst attracted to women, Wininger also found she wanted to be one. But from trying on her sister’s dresses as a small boy, she tried to keep the female part a secret.
Having married, Rachael found herself asking for a divorce after an incident quite independent of gender or chosen way of life. Frequent phone calls from her children and ex-wife give us an insight into the external perspective, whilst imposing a gentle story arc and pushing us to a conclusion.
Issues of religion and public perception are touched upon – Wininger wants to be ‘passable’ as a women but can’t afford a sex change but doesn’t want to be stuck “half way between” because of hormone treatments, there are also some telling references to Rachael’s relationship to the Methodist Church – but the main thrust is the gently paced tale of how the cafe came to be established.
Elwell portrays Rachael as a likeable and generous hostess. There is a slight moment of uncomfortable voyeurism as the cafe set-up in the back room at the Jekyll and Hyde morphs into something more private for Rachael to change to a suit. Rachael’s warm, effeminate personality shines through it. A real demonstration that the inside is more important than out.
