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★★★★★
In my role as a theatre reviewer, I am always on the lookout for small, independent companies and creatives who are performing new writing at the Edinburgh Fringe. As somebody who covers a lot of thought-provoking, taboo-challenging theatre, I always make space in my Fringe schedule for writing that tackles real-life topics head on. None was more intriguing than Alexander Tait’s debut play ‘Kev Campbell Was He’, with the writer aspiring to “make a show that people who don’t go to the theatre would enjoy, like the family and friends [he] grew up with” and also confront the issues of toxic masculinity and homophobia in Scotland.
I actually interviewed Alexander ahead of the festival, keen for the writer and actor to share more about how he was intending to approach such prevalent subjects and also make audiences laugh. Finally having the opportunity to watch the play at theSpace @ Symposium Hall – Annexe last night, it is evident that the David MacLennan Award-nominated play is one of the most naturally amusing and reflective plays that I have seen in my three years attending the festival.
Initial thoughts
Too often there is an emphasis on theatre needing to be groundbreaking and complex, but sometimes it is the down to earth stories featuring something so simple as somebody from your local neighbourhood that really have the greatest impact. This is exactly how I would describe ‘Kev Campbell Was He’: a small show with a huge voice that has the power to make spectators think differently about how they can support LGBTQIA+ people, rather than be a bystander to homophobia. Brilliantly staged by director Ivan Hamshaw Thomas with some vibrant lighting design and slickly timed sound effects, the play is an exciting addition to theSpaceUK’s festival programme.
Theatre for everyone
The show has a completely accessible storyline, focusing on the unassuming and endearing local lad Kevin Campbell, who left school early and works in the local cafe. Kevin, or Kev for short, meets a well-spoken gay Englishman called Quinn in a toilet at a nightclub and this encounter completely changes the somewhat sheltered Kev’s outlook on life. Looking at friendship and what it means to be a man in modern day Scotland, the comedy with poignant underlying themes has been carefully crafted into a 50 minute piece of incredibly engaging theatre.
Character-driven comedy
Alexander plays a number of dynamic characters, including Kev, Quinn, a childhood friend and his employer Moira to name but a few. Each is defined by distinguishable accents and unique personalities which makes the narrative incredibly easy to follow. The comedy elements are highly entertaining, formed mostly from the dialogue between the characters, with the interpretation of Kev being a standout of the show. From Kev’s very first hilarious line, I was invested in the performance, which is packed full of toilet humour, relatable pop culture references and amusing comments about everyday life. Normally I am not a fan of profanity-filled scripts but with this play it really works, only amplifying Kev’s unfiltered persona.
A must-see at this year’s Fringe
‘Kev Campbell Was He’ is fringe theatre at its finest, proving that you don’t need a huge set to produce a trailblazing play. With a hilarious and thought-provoking script, it carefully balances comedy and personal reflection, making audiences think twice about how inaction can be just as damaging in the face of homophobia. What Alexander and Ivan have managed to create with the production is nothing short of outstanding. There are currently just a couple of tickets left for the final performance at 19:15 on Saturday 10th August, which can be purchased via the festival website. I really hope this is not the last we hear of the play, as it truly deserves a future life beyond this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for ‘Kev Campbell Was He’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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