With a plastic fork in hand (not a preference, all part of the show), the Crains Lecture Hall of Summerhall, a former home of learning for the students of the University of Edinburgh, is a fitting place for an aquatic exploration into gender identity and queerness. This is what will certainly await you when you find Something in The Water. A mesmerising, darkly comical, one person show from the mind of queer trans writer, actor and puppeteer S.E. Grummett of Saskatoon, Canada who brings the award-winning show to the Edinburgh for their spectacular Festival Fringe debut.
This show is pure Fringe, utterly spectacular!
In the titular role of Grumms, a person gendered as a girl transformed into a non-binary squid person, Grummett brings an unmatched, otherworldly, ecstatic energy from their first breath to their final bow. With use of a projector, sketchbook, dolls and a trusty squid, they weave a tale of curiosity, experimentation, transformation and understanding. The whole journey is so life-affirming, it's relatable, thoughtful and certainly leave you feeling good. The use of projection especially, encompassing the smallest of details and creative art within Grumms Storytelling Sketchbook to the wider oceanic moments faced by Grumms, works so well and really helps add to the stellar performance by Grummett. This is a very interactive show with entertaining, playful, fun and thought-provoking moments of participation. Even those who despise the very minimal notion of participation will find these engagements with the naïve and comical Grumms well worth it. Additionally, I feel this show should be commended for its accessibility with a number of signed, captioned and relaxed performances available during their Fringe run along with supporting Relaxed Performance Guide which is available via the Summerhall Website.
The Festival Fringe has always been a bastion for understanding, creativity, humour and most of all, a place to embrace that which is different. This show is pure Fringe, utterly spectacular! A celebration of those who don’t always fit, those who often feel ostracised and those who are trying to find themselves. A heart pouring journey of discovery and queer self-love which would move the coldest of souls and make the hardest of audiences cry. Haste ye back to Edinburgh Fringe!
