MUST – The Inside Story (Queer Up North)

New York based performer and co-founder of the Split Britches Theatre Company, Peggy Shaw, has brought her latest show to Manchester as part of the Queer Up North International Festival.

Shaw is renowned for her gender-bending autobiographical work and MUST – The Inside Story continues that trend. It is a monologue about her life, from her mother’s electro-shock treatment in the 50s, through giving birth on her way to the Woodstock Festival in 1969, to living now as a 65 year old lesbian grandmother.

Shaw paints images of her existence through her words, which are at times enhanced by the projected backdrop of photographs of the body; or for one part, a short animation. She opens the lid on thoughts which most people would not give voice to. Shaw partially strips to allow the anatomical imagery to be projected onto her own body as well, using this to increase the graphic nature of the scene.

The starkness of her performance is emphasised by the dramatic and excellent musical accompaniment from a trio of musicians consisting of a violin, a double bass and a piano. The music, written by Paul Clarke, is more of an additional experience than a backing to the speech.

The set is a bare stage – apart from the musicians and from Shaw herself, who is lit only by spotlights – but this accentuates the visuals both on the stage and in the imagination of the audience.

Shaw and her co-writer Suzi Willson of Clod Ensemble have created a show that is neither play nor performance art, but it is not lacking in drama or emotion.

At a mere 45 minutes long, MUST will not give you a full night out, but it is a production well worth seeing; as it makes the audience consider, not only the life of Peggy Shaw, but also how the matters she discusses might impact upon themselves.

Original and thought-provoking.

– Helen Jones