An incredibly funny show that gracefully navigates difficult topics and true experiences that are typically shied away from
Identities, female-led Close to Home Productions’ first creation, is a story about boobs. Yet, it manages to be about so much more. It is glorious, and pink, and full of strength. It is heartfelt, and honest, and hilarious.
On arrival, it is clear that at least part of the intention is for the show to be an informative reminder of the importance of breast cancer awareness. There was material from the charity Prevent Breast Cancer, including a small booklet giving advice of what to look for and how to correctly check your breasts for signs of cancer. There was also a content warning on the wall, that included but was not limited to warnings of themes of breast cancer, body image discussions, and audience participation. A Prevent Breast Cancer Ambassador was present for discussion before, during, and after the performance.
Before arriving in the seats there was a table of sensory toys to aid in the accessibility of the enjoyment of the production. It was clear throughout that the production team had made a sincere, and successful, effort to ensure that the entire show was varied and engaging in a way that supported neurodiversity in the audience.
The entire performance was filled with hilarity, female strength, and boobs with two distinct personalities. The gloriously pink set design was simple, cleverly textured, symbolic, and gave the feeling of an eclectic, lived in, bedroom. It invited you to come in, relax, and have tea with your female friends. On this journey, Rae Bell, as Right Boob, and Hannah Harquart, as Left Boob, took the audience on a journey that reminisced on bra fittings, sexual assault on a night out, and how uncomfortable exercise can be with boobs, as well as one woman’s journey with breast cancer and a lumpectomy, among other milestones in a woman’s younger years. The story was handled with grace, sincerity, relatable humour, and the banter one would find in best friends or sisters.
The use of lighting, to either soften the moments or give harsher focus to the difficult and intimate procedures, was incredibly clever, as was the use of the different pink flowers to represent cancerous cells and healthy cells. This creative choice led to a poetic, almost childlike and soft, moment between Bell and Harquart as they plucked the flowers from the hanging pink material and dropped them to the ground.
Identities does not shy away from difficult points of the conversation, and manages to give space to some of the different experiences women have with breast cancer with genuine testimonials that can be heard while Bell and Harquart are having a well deserved tea break in quiet moments of reflection shared with the audience. The production choices behind this outstanding performance were wonderful, and Bell and Harquart excelled in their performances never faltering in the different aspects of it. Harquart’s close interactions with the audience, sincere attempts at supporting her fellow boob, and humour were captivating to watch. Bell’s quieter and concerned character radiated inner strength in her innocent confusion, with her few sudden outbursts being relatable and funny, she carried the story of her character with masterful dignity.
Following the conclusion of the show, which runs (very intentionally) for approximately 60 minutes, there was a Q&A session with some of the team involved. During this, and in the auditorium beforehand, audience members shared their own stories of their experiences with breast cancer and relayed how authentic they felt the experience captured within the show was.
In short, Identities is the perfect night with the girls, or evening with family and friends who want a cathartic laugh over a gracefully handled depiction of a horrible shared life experience. It felt like an evening surrounded by supportive friends, and I left feeling as though I’d had a warm hug from my best friend, or a drunk stranger in a ladies toilet. Truly phenomenal.
Review by Lucy Bint