★★★★★
Brook Tate and his band take us on a journey down to the bottom of the ocean, befriending a whale on the way as they submerge deeper and deeper into the depths. Tate explores his identity as a gay man who grew up as a Jehovah’s Witness, through glorious song and philosophical heart-to-hearts with Gail the Whale.
After a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023, where the Guardian described ir as “a glittering, high-heeled spectacle of camp,” Tate has taken Birthmarked on tour.
Upon entering the auditorium, the attention is immediately drawn to the Bible verse suspended from the ceiling of the stage; “Pride goes before destruction. A haughty spirit before a fall.” The phrase warns against overconfidence, in fear of falling – a strong way to start an incredibly powerful, confidence-exuding piece of “semi-improvised-autobiographical-piece-of-musical-gig-theatre”, as Tate calls it.
Inspired by the biblical story of Jonah and the Whale, Tate’s drummer, Eva Redman, puppeteered a canvas painted whale on stage, as a vehicle to tell Tate’s story of being shunned by his religious community. Ultimately emerging above the ocean depths, and from the insides of the whale, as a… tap-dancing Zebra! Painting his face in black and white, he candidly speaks about his Grandma accepting his sexuality and identity before she passed away, and how his parents similarly left the community after “waking up”, as he puts it.
Brook Tate’s pitch-perfect voice and beautiful original songs were the highlights of the show. Every time he began the next song, I was in awe of the incredible power and silkiness of his voice. The music bursts into action with full force, guiding us through the emotional journey of being disfellowshipped by his family and community, and eventually finding hope and joy through found family and artistic expression.
In between songs, Tate speaks loosely and in reflection of his life, which felt raw and honest – the semi-improvised nature of the show really comes into play here, and really defines the intense emotional arcs of the show, where Tate speaks to us through Gail, sharing his story with a sincerity that deeply resonated. All is enhanced with ambitious and artistic design.
Birthmarked runs at the Lowry (Quays Theatre), Manchester until May 31 and ends its UK tour at Theatre Royal Stratford East, London, where it plays from July 10-13.
Photo: Paul Blakemore
JADAR 