Unsex Me Here

Any play which takes its title from Shakespeare must demonstrate wit, originality and talent suitable to justify the reference. Sadly, Unsex Me Here largely falls short on all these accounts.

Writer and performer Skye Loneragan’s one-woman show attempts to confront a multitude of issues on female sexuality through allusions to enchanted legends, nursery rhymes and bizarrely - Macbeth. Cinderella misses her carriage because she cannot run in high-heels; Lady Macbeth’s monologues are repeatedly cut short by her interrupting children; other characters such as Little Bo Peep and Snow White face similar plights of womanhood in this absurd mix of feminism, fairytale and four-inch heels.

Through her characters Loneragan questions and ridicules the necessity of the ‘raised calf,’ suggesting that women must lock up their stilettos and throw away the key if they are to resist subjugation. Simple enough. Unfortunately a straightforward idea is ruined by too many characters and sub-plots which result in a blurred and vague production with little or no cohesive meaning.

Furthermore, the idea that women are oppressed by their appearance is hardly original. The channelling of this notion through mythological and literary figures fails to hide the fact that in essence, Unsex Me Here is nothing new. Gender stereotypes are upheld, bemoaned and unchallenged.

The small redeeming factor is that Loneragan is an engaging performer who remains convincing and enthralling throughout. This however, does little to dispell the view that Unsex Me Here, is a confusing and unoriginal production.