Innocent Or Guilty? Flight or Flight Review | Ellen Leslie
★★★★
Written by Alexander “Wilson” Noe, Fight or Flight turns the audience into the jury, inviting them to choose the ending of the show. Trans men Augustus (Eric Griffin)and Niro (Noe) are filing for divorce, taking turns to present their evidence under the guidance of the narrator (Suzie Brady). Told in a non-linear form, we see snippets of the men’s relationship, from meeting on a flight, to their final fight, as we decide who is at fault for its breakdown. It is a thought-provoking show that raises awareness of trans issues and domestic violence.
It is difficult deciding who is the villain; both characters are in the wrong. They fling brutal insults at each other, and are incapable of listening and having calm conversations. It’s more like watching hormonal teenagers than married adults. Augustus cannot forgive Niro for outing him to his parents and this hurt corrupts their relationship. Niro is unable to empathise with Augustus, particularly when it comes to understanding his family situation. It does make us question why they have stayed together for so long, as there seems to be little love in their relationship.
This sits against the bleak reality of what life is like for trans people living in America. The characters fear for their safety, with the introduction of bathroom bills that are encouraging the public to report any “mentally ill” people they see entering a bathroom that doesn’t align with their birth sex. Hyperaware of the looks he gets from his neighbours, Augustus purchases a weapon, against Niro’s wishes, arguing it is necessary to ensure their safety. Although the play is short, with only a 35 minute running time, Noe effectively conveys how much trans people are impacted through these views through the strain it puts on the character’s relationship.
The ending is confusing, and I wasn’t clear on what was happening, or who the villain was. An announcement from the narrator about the jury’s final vote was would greatly help to tie the play together. It also must be noted that the show started late due to the one before running over, so this rushed ending could have been due to time constraints outwith the artists’ control.
A mention must be given to Griffin’s amazing makeup and SFX skills, which adds a touch of uniqueness to the show. From the second row where I was sitting, the scars looked realistic, adding to the shock value. It’s a small detail that helps the play to stand out, especially considering special effects aren’t very common at the Fringe.
It is so important to see stories with complex, messy trans characters like Fight or Flight on stage, and Noe captures many of the issues that affect them in the script. Considering the team are students making their Fringe debut, they clearly have a bright future ahead of them.
Fight or Flight will run at theSpace – Symposium Hall until 15 August as part of Edinburgh Fringe.
By Ellen Leslie
