Following an immigrant drag queen’s navigation of the turbulence under Trump’s America, Eddie Jen’s Seeking a Penpal for the End of the World offers a tender, gripping look into political and personal connection.
In the streets of Edinburgh, you’ll be bombarded with irritating tourists, desperate flyerers (me included), and comedians vying for your laugh with quick, attention-grabbing banter. While those characteristics are still crucial to the festival, sometimes you just need a breath of fresh air, and a break from the chaos. As you step into Eddie’s room, you’ll feel time move a little slower, gifting you a moment to take it all in.
Before you head up the stairs, you’ll be greeted with “Write-On” index cards and blue ballpoint pens — inviting your entrance to an English class you’ll want to sit in on — one with Eddie Jen as the wise, gentle teacher that you didn’t know you needed.
Within the hour, you’ll be treated to private yet heart-warming stories, essential “adult story-time” as advertised, in what feels like a warm, nurturing, needed hug. With your thoughts invited onto paper, and as the audience volunteers themselves, Seeking a Penpal is an achievement in crowd immersion, where you won’t find a performance that cultivates connection quite like this anywhere else.
Eddie’s portrayal of her transformative relationship with his high-school teacher is moving and sentimental. A delicate but nuanced depiction of how an inspirational figure can substantially change and uplift our lives. Not too corny, or weepy, or over-done, the star performer transforms the stage into a space where she is free to be herself, stepping into self-epiphanies that will affect his audience so deeply you know he’ll be greeted with a shower of “thank yous” once the show is over.
The friendly drag queen’s stage presence is unmatched; it is raw, passioned, and genuine, where you will feel like you have wandered into a magical spell. A lesson to not shy away from your individual self — and to never put your pen down — even if you feel like no one is reading or watching.
I invite you to take on this slowness and bubbling reflective journey yourself. This is truly a memorable contribution to this year’s Fringe. There is nothing else quite like it.
Seeking a Penpal for the End of the World is running until 24 August at Just The Tonic at The Caves.
Buy tickets here.
Image courtesy of Eddie Jen, provided to The Student as press material.
