The Brighton Fringe Festival has returned and with it comes the chance for anyone and everyone to “put on a show” – irrespective of talent or ability but, hidden amongst the plethora of mediocrity, you can find a superb piece of perfectly crafted theatre – like Bleach.
Written, Produced, Directed and performed by Dan Ireland-Reeves, Bleach tells the story of Tyler Everett, a young guy who heads to London to see if the streets really are paved with gold but, living in a cramped but expensive room, working at an all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant and struggling to make ends meet, he soon discovers what a cold, lonely and unforgiving place London can be. So Tyler finds company, comfort, appreciation, and a huge amount of sex, in his new career as a rent boy over the road in the heart of in London’s Soho.
Tyler addresses the audience directly, explaining himself, justifying his new life and talking us through the meetings that he has with his regular, and some rather more spontaneous, male clients. The details are graphic and the language is ripe but that just gives Tyler a reality that resonates with many in the audience who recognise, only too well, some of Tyler’s more lust-driven hook-ups.
The clever use of lighting and sound effects, provided with impeccable timing by Sam Ireland, really help to add atmosphere to a tale so compelling that the audience sit in total silence from beginning to end, except for frequent bursts of laughter as Tyler (and Dan) have both a comic side and a really good way with snappy one-liners.
Without wishing to give away the “twist in the tale”, Tyler’s life takes rather a sinister turn as the piece progresses and it soon becomes obvious that the white square in which the entire show is performed is not some sort of prison, from which Tyler cannot escape, but actually appears to be his sanctuary – a safe place in a city that
has suddenly become so very dangerous.
Winner of the Write for the Stage, Best New Writing, Award and nominated for multiple other awards, Bleach is a masterclass in the art of the one-person show. The character is totally believable, the production completely engaging and, it has to be mentioned, as well as being supremely talented, Dan really does look incredibly good in just his designer underwear.
***** Five Stars