#Hypocrisy @ Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh

Imogen Stirling's Fringe hit fuses spoken word and music, with a few important life lessons along the way

Review by Grace Lavender | 28 Jan 2019

Performed in a corner of the Traverse Theatre bar, #Hypocrisy has a laid back and intimate feel. Bouncing onstage to introduce her two supporting acts, Imogen Stirling’s informality and ease are immediately appealing. While intimacy and familiarity are at the heart of this performance, #Hypocrisy is certainly gripping throughout.

Stirling’s first support act is Scottish poet Kevin McLean. His poems are emotionally heightened while remaining comfortingly mundane, and his lyrical wordplay makes him an outstanding opening act. McLean is immediately followed by Josephine Sillars and Jamie Hogg, whose thumping bass and soaring vocals act as the antithesis to McLean's more understated set. 

Following a short interval, Stirling begins her set, accompanied by Ross Somerville on guitar, and Finnie Welsh on percussion. Her poetry charts her personal journey; starting as a travelling musician experiencing a self-imposed exile, Stirling takes the audience with her as she discovers her true privilege. Touching on the refugee crisis, the media and social media in particular, she demands that the audience consider all of the hypocrisies of Western life. Throughout her nuanced interrogation of British culture, she repeatedly reminds us that much of the content we consume is, to use her words, "not entirely true".  

Perhaps the greatest strength of #Hypocrisy is its fusion between music and spoken word. Stirling, Somerville and Welsh succeed in creating a seamless soundscape. Somerville’s ingenious composition is at times the main event, while at others it's barely noticeable, allowing Stirling all the space her words need. Stirling is gripping in her own right, moving around the small stage with ease while never missing a beat. Her words are sharp, smart and most importantly kind. Her gift with words is undoubtedly clear.

At times some of Stirling’s insights feel familiar – like she’s making a statement that's been made many times before. For the most part, however, her work is both thoughtful and thought-provoking, a true breath of fresh air in what feels like an ever-darkening political time.


Traverse Theatre, run ended; CCA, Glasgow, 2 Feb, 8.30pm, tickets here

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