PR/Gifted
“And what is Sunday Mass if not the original drag brunch?” Acts of Contrition brings a gloriously camp energy to the Fringe while telling a story that is both beautifully heartfelt and incredibly funny.
With a natural storytelling ability, Gerrard takes us through his journey from a wee Scottish Catholic boy to one of Spain’s powerhouse drag queens, exploring the surprisingly strong synergy between being gay and the Catholic Church. There is more similarity than you might think!
Through Madonna, a zealous nun and some darker moments, Gerrard explores the many “acts” and “drags” he had to put on while growing up in early-2000s Glasgow, desperately trying to hide the person he really was. The show doesn’t shy away from the more difficult side of that journey, particularly the struggle with internalised homophobia and the question of how exactly you deal with it – or, more honestly, how you sometimes spectacularly fail to.
What makes the show work so well is Gerrard’s ability to balance the humour with genuine vulnerability. One moment you’re laughing at a brilliantly camp observation, the next you’re confronted with the emotional weight behind it. The comedy never feels like it is undermining the story; instead, it becomes part of how Gerrard makes sense of it.
There is something wonderfully liberating about watching someone take the things that once caused shame and turn them into a celebration.
Acts of Contrition is funny, fabulous and full of heart, with Gerrard’s storytelling carrying us through a deeply personal journey of identity, faith, sexuality and ultimately self-acceptance.
Amen to that.
Acts of Contrition is on at 13:00 at Braw Venues @ Hill Street until 30th August.
Get your tickets here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/acts-of-contrition
Written by Helena Featherstone
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