I wasn’t expecting to be so moved by this, yet the emotions it stirred up lingered for the rest of the day, never quite leaving. It’s a one-man show, adapted from Josh Kilmer-Purcell’s memoir of the same name, which I hadn’t read but now intend to. It recounts Kilmer-Purcell’s life in New York in the 90s, working in advertising by day, performing as drag queen Aquadisiac by night, as well as his relationship with a high-class rent boy addicted to crack. If that sounds tawdry and seedy, well, it possibly was, but in the hands of writer-performer Tom Stuart it is also profoundly affecting, by turns warm, bitter, optimistic, cynical and deeply, profoundly human.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 30 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Andrew Leask]