★ ★ ★ ★

Reviewer - Bronagh

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

The Pleasance is currently home to the brilliant 30 and Out, a different kind of coming-of-age story by the wonderful Kit Sinclair. A different kind, as we generally don’t see coming-of-age stories of 30-year-olds coming out as lesbians. This is a welcome change from the usual, especially as women leaving their late 20s and entering their early 30s generally do feel like they should be settling down, having babies and buying houses.

30 and Out is a one-person show, written and performed by Kit using a mixture of monologue, poetry, song and, at times, some very impressive dance moves. Kit addressed the audience at several points, which never felt awkward considering the small space. Lesbians up and down the country were interviewed in preparation for the show, their voices intertwined with Kit’s own voice and performance. This brings home how many people have these experiences; observing both the positive and negative. It is all covered.

Kit is likeable, with the right balance of cheeky and seriousness. They detail experiences that many others have had but perhaps haven’t spoken out about as they’re ‘unusual’ – one person at a lesbian club tells Kit that most people wouldn’t even bother coming out after the age of 30. Kit mulls on coming out after a long-term relationship, the negative experiences that can follow, including friends’ reactions (notably on top of Primrose Hill during an engagement party). All sorts of attitudes are explored; notably, Kit touches on the fetishisation of lesbian sex by heterosexual cisgender men, something clearly prevalent within the community.

Amongst the charisma, vibrancy and quick wit of Kit, there are also some very poignant moments. Stories of queer people being murdered in nightclubs, places where they should be able to feel safe, to homophobic attacks on public transport. Kit pays tribute to the lives that the world continues to lose to abuse and homophobic violence.

30 and Out ends on a lovely high. 30 and Out jumps from a cheeky comedy to the lows of homophobic violence, reiterating the attitudes which need to be lost. A brilliant production, very much worth seeing.