Following the story of a young trans person, ROADKILL is a deeply powerful piece about adolescence and identity. It jumps between topics such as period sex, living at your parents’ house, and working at Tesco (to name just a few moments). At times, it is hilarious; in others, it delivers an emotional punch to the gut.
The show is a monologue recounting the years, weeks, and months leading up to Cosmo being hit by a car on Halloween. Despite revolving around such a traumatic event, the premise is clear: ROADKILL is not a show about transphobia or getting hit by a car. It is about owning the narrative, coming of age, and finding freedom in a world not built for you.
Ranging from the horny, to the grotesque, to the joyful, to the devastating, ROADKILL presents all the emotions of growing up on a platter. Overall, it is raw and messy, with impressively sharp and clever writing.
Niamh O’Farrell’s delivery is exquisite, and the conviction they bring to every word of the piece feels beautifully honest. I found myself hanging on their every word. There is a gripping physicality to their performance, and a deep sense of intimacy as they make lasting, intentional eye contact with every audience member. O’Farrell is an absolute gem of a performer.
Cosmo is refreshing to watch: complex, playful, and representing an incredibly specific, rounded character, while simultaneously reflecting universal experiences. Visually, the piece is captivating. The costuming is Rocky Horror-inspired, and O’Farrell wears striking bright blue eyeshadow and a smudged red lip. The set is simple, but a small collection of personal items colours the already fascinating character of Cosmo.
ROADKILL is presented by DYKEish, a new Irish theatre collective aiming to “spark vital and constructive conversation around the future of transgender rights and wellbeing in Ireland, the UK, and beyond.” The show centres trans voices with unflinching, personal honesty. It feels like a story desperate to be told, and is sure to stay with audiences long after they leave.
ROADKILL is a brilliantly compelling Fringe debut, and a very special, queer coming-of-age story.
ROADKILL is running until 9 August at Space 2 at theSpace on the Mile.
Buy tickets here.
Image courtesy of TheSpace Press Office, provided to The Student as press material.