There’s a precious gem buried at the Jekyll and Hyde pub: ‘Rachael’s Cafe’. A charming and slightly sad monologue delivered by the titular Rachael, a transgender cafe owner from Indiana. The play concerns itself with questions of gender and identity and offers a sensitive, and often insightful explorations of the transgender experience. The stage is somewhat at odds with the subject matter, and initially suspension of disbelief is hindered by the incongruity of an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus looming over an Indiana cafe – although this does allow for a neat visual metaphor later. Occasionally the play drifts into heavy-handed soapbox territory, but overall, this is a gemstone well worth digging for.

Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 4 – 28 Aug, 2.00pm (2.50pm), free.
tw rating 4/5
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