FATTY FAT FAT
The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff
Thurs 12 Mar
****
Katie Greenall’s one-woman play was a lovely addition to The Other Room’s Spring Fringe season, which has showcased a range of daring and innovative visiting productions, and this is no exception. Opening with moreish comedy and a fabulous rendition of The Cha-Cha Slide, Greenall gives a powerful and brave glimpse into her life in Fatty Fat Fat, from dressing up as the Fat Controller from Thomas the Tank Engine at age 9, to becoming an object of cruel ridicule by a group of boys in a nightclub at 19. Her outpouring leaves us sad and angry, as situations like these are unfortunately all too familiar. Being a queer individual, it was refreshing to see the acknowledgement of her true self – unfiltered, unapologetic, gay and proud. Throughout the performance she explains that her fight with self-loathing is not over and it is remarkable to see an individual brave enough to show their flaws to help others and create a safe space.
After each confession, Katie brings back the happiness in the room by audience interactions and a range of hilarious games for everyone to get involved with. My favourite game was her version of ‘Never Have I Ever’ in which the audience are given a packet of crisps to eat instead of the usual pre-drink booze: “Never have I ever been called a fat bitch”; “Never have I ever been scared I’ll get trapped in an item of clothing.” The painful look of embarrassment and shame begins to show on Greenall’s face as she emerges as the only one frantically chowing down on the crisps. Ultimately, it hurts to understand that this isn’t just a play; this is her life story.
Fatty Fat Fat is a fiery piece of compelling drama. A massive f**k you to the society that deemed this acceptable, Greenall’s one-woman drama is a unique show that will take you on an emotional journey from self-loathing to self-acceptance.
words JOE ALI
To find out more about The Other Room’s Spring Fringe season, click here.