Review: A Sacrilegious Lesbian and Homosexual Parade

A Sacrilegious Lesbian and Homosexual Parade

New Theatre

***

Brian Fleming’s take on the St Pat’s For All Parade in Queens, NYC, is a personal story where the cultural battle between the old Catholic conservatism of the Fifth Avenue march and the DIY, grassroots, “come one come all” approach of Queens provides the context. There’s a sense of nowness to this; Panti’s Noble Call speech introduces the piece, and just last week an LGBT group was given permission to march in 2015.

As a musician with De Jimbe, Fleming found himself becoming an unlikely ally to an Irish LGBT community struggling for acceptance in this melting pot. At times, Fleming reaches for lines, pulling you out of the fun and politically incorrect New York he brings to life, familiar to many, and here told with a sort of naivety. The Fringe may be a magnet for queer theatre, but there’s something original and sweet about seeing a tale of gayness, diversity and tolerance projected through a different lens.

Ends on Sept 13