‘HYPER’ is a fiercely queer play from Jaxbanded Theatre and Ois O’Donoghue. It follows Saoirse, a musician who’s recently come out as trans, navigating her return to the stage and friendship with her long-time bandmate Connell (a cis man). The prologue is bold and uncompromising, setting the tone for a punky production – though the direct address confronts an imagined cis audience: a premise which risks landing awkwardly, if (and when) a crowd of trans folk flock to this small Summerhall basement seeking hyperpop music and camaraderie. Still, the storytelling and split-casting of Saoirse (between O’Donoghue and actor Fiona Larmon) with O’Donoghue behind a curtain using voice modulation technology is very powerful – adding raw layers of emotion amongst the riotous defiance.

Summerhall, until Aug 26.
tw rating 4/5 | [Bizz Holmes]