As someone eager to explore a variety of shows at the Fringe Festival, I knew I had to cover one with an LGBTQ+ theme. FAGHAG by Dylan Mulvaney turned out to be one of the best decisions I made.
This show is a brilliant blend of storytelling, stand-up comedy, and musical performance. Dylan Mulvaney uses her humour to share her deeply personal journey of transition to womanhood. The story begins in a delightfully imaginative way, with Dylan as an angel. God tells her it’s time to be born as a human, complete with funny details like where she’ll be born and that she’ll wear a size 7 shoe. Dylan’s excitement about coming down to Earth had the audience laughing right from the start.
However, the humour is balanced with deeper themes. After her birth, she realizes she’s in a male body, which leads to a journey of gender confusion. In one poignant scene, she discusses her 96th confession with a priest, shedding light on how many LGBTQ+ people are made to feel sinful simply for being who they are—a reality still perpetuated by many religions. Dylan navigates these heavy topics with a light touch, often using music and song to express her feelings.
One of the most touching parts of the show was when Dylan talked about dressing up as Dorothy from *The Wizard of Oz* for Halloween. While she told everyone it was just for fun, she revealed it was the one day she truly felt like herself. This moment was heartbreaking, as it highlighted the pain LGBTQ+ people often endure by hiding their true selves to fit into a society that doesn’t always accept them. Yet, even in this emotional moment, Dylan found a way to infuse humour, preventing the audience from feeling overwhelmed by sadness.
One of the funniest moments was when Dylan shared her experience of being invited to the White House by President Joe Biden. She joked about not knowing what to say and how she only knew to ask about the shirt he was wearing. It was a hilarious take on what must have been an incredibly nerve-wracking experience.
For me, Dylan Mulvaney is one of the bravest transgender individuals in the public eye today. She shares her journey openly, showing how the happiness of being true to oneself can clash with the pain inflicted by a society that often fails to understand. Through her show, she powerfully conveyed that LGBTQ+ people are just as human as anyone else and deserve the same right to live authentically.
The show ended with a well-deserved standing ovation. FAGHAG is a must-see at the Fringe Festival—a complete comedy show where hidden truths are woven into every laugh, keeping the audience fully engaged with its clever mix of storytelling, music, and thought-provoking insights.
My Message to Society: To every member of the LGBTQ+ community, hear this: You are not victims of society; you are true warriors. You don’t need to hide who you are or carry the weight of others’ judgments. Your only responsibility is to care for yourself, embrace your truth, and live authentically. Those who fail to accept you for who you are—let them know they have no place in your life. You deserve to exist in this world with pride and without fear. Stand tall, because your life is yours to live, and no one has the right to make you feel otherwise.
Reviewer: Saira Kunjuvalappil (Saira ks)
Reviewed: 25th August 2024
North West End UK Rating: