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Mandrill - Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024 (UK)
Written and Performed by Tea Wade
Tea Wade’s unique approach to gender history keeps the audience entertained as they rhyme their way through this delightful night out.
Reviewed by Amber Spooner
Just the Tonic at The Caves
Suitability: Age 16+
Warnings and Additional Information: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Strong language/swearing
Country: United States
Season: Aug 9-11, 13-25
4 STARS
Moving at lightning pace, Mandrill packs centuries of gender history and cultural norms into a rhyming, 55-minute, one person show. While there are moments that risk becoming more like an educational Ted talk than comedy, writer and performer Tea Wade knows how to keep their audience engaged. The fact-heavy historical journey explores how we got from apes in loincloths, to a current-day parliament filled with people freaking out about boys wearing dresses and lipstick. Interspersed with plenty of jokes and light-hearted moments, Mandrill keeps you entertained and eager to know more.
The pace and rhythm of the show is fantastic; Wade's performance and stage presence holds your attention, not getting too bogged down in facts, and moving quickly through key moments in history. Wade performs this show without audiovisuals or flashy lights and sound, resourcefully using a few lights to drive their point home. Explaining that they had a Powerpoint prepared but this work doesn’t feel like it needs it, Wade has a strong enough presence that any aids would distract from the overall performance.
Interactions with the audience feel as though they come from a place of genuine interest and kindness. While some comics just blatantly call you out in the middle of their set, Wade's performance engages a gentler, more prepared approach that doesn’t rely on you to generate content. Rather, they include you in their set making it feel like a collaborative experience rather than passive observance.
Amongst a festival where works in progress are competing with established, successful global touring productions, it is nice to be reminded of the original intention of the Fringe
This production does feel like a work in progress, with Wade exploring different approaches and performance styles to gauge how audiences respond. There are some sections that feel very polished and well-rehearsed while some feel like they are being tested for the first time. Wade themselves exclaimed “I just wrote this bit!”.
Amongst a festival where works in progress are competing with established, successful global touring productions, it is nice to be reminded of the original intention of the Fringe which offers a space to test out your work. There clearly is an audience for it keen to see the next big thing.
Much of the content explored in Mandrill is based around information that is has become more common knowledge, particularly amongst the Queer community in recent times. While it’s great for trivia facts, it has the potential to disengage some audience members who may feel they aren’t seeing anything new. It is clear that Wade has researched and fact checked all of their material, often citing books and researchers in the space. Being so well-informed and confident in the delivery works extremely well in getting their audience on side from the opening moments.
Mandrill is an engaging and fun trip down gender-history lane. Wade is entertaining and a joy to watch. A great addition to late night fringe!
Warnings and additional info: Audience participation, Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Strong language/swearing Buy a ticket in advance to guarantee entry or Pay What You Want at the venue
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