Riot Act – Stream Theatre

Celebrating LGBTQ+ History month, Stream Theatre shares this eloquent and powerful one-man performance based on three verbatim interviews from three people who have been a part of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Alexis Gregory gives a superlative performance throughout and his script is sensitive, raw, witty, and sometimes full of rage.

Gregory carefully complied his three interviews into one continuous layered monologue and in so doing formed a remarkable commentary on queer activism through the years.

If this all sounds quite serious and leaning towards political debate, have no fear, Gregory holds your attention throughout, and his characterisation is superb. This is such a warm and exuberant show that I challenge anyone not to admire and love.

Each person has a story to tell, and I was thoroughly transfixed both with Gregory’s performance and his intelligent and fluid storytelling.

Gregory’s first character (and by far my most favourite of the three) is Michael who is a survivor of the Stonewall riots. His voice paints such a vivid and at times heart-breaking picture of what really happened at Stonewall. The second character is Lavinia Co-op a very alternative drag queen from the seventies, she is a well- rounded and funny character and creates a lot of warmth and wit. Finally, we meet Paul, a gay activist from the nineties who lives in the shadow of AIDS and the political turmoil of the times. His story is both forceful and moving.

This is a powerful and excellent exploration of our queer culture through almost six decades and Gregory presents this in such an accessible and meaningful way. Their words are truly inspirational on so many levels.

Directed with a great deal of imagination and finesse Rikki Beadle-Blair uses both lighting and sound to excellent effect and gets an outstanding performance from the incredibly talented Gregory.

This performance is about real people, their voices, their individual experiences and how it is truly relevant to what is happening today within the LGBTQ+ community.

Available to stream 1st – 28th February 2022 at https://www.stream.theatre/season/224

Reviewer: Kiefer Wes Williams

Reviewed: 1^st February 2022

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★