Theatre Review: Faun at Alphabetti is hilarious, inspiring and a bit mad

Young people in the UK are waging through a homelessness crisis, which is where we find Ace- moving onto sofa number 13.

The generosity of their friends and willingness to take them in is a means of survival for them because of the threat of what will happen once the sofas run out.

But Ace finds relying on the goodwill of others, even your childhood best mate, comes with its issues. Instead of payment, they’re expected to do laundry, washing up and other demeaning chores which establish a power dynamic in a once equal friendship.

Faun tackles the complexities of taking up as little space as possible whilst already being marginalised and, at times, pushed to the edges of society.

Because not only is Ace homeless, they’re also transgender.

Oh, and they’re also slowly transforming into a faun.

Hilarious, inspiring and a bit mad, Faun offers Ace a chance to find themselves again after making themselves amenable for so long.

The layout of the theatre and closeness to the actors confronts the audience with a sort of participation. You often meet the eyes of Ace who frantically tries to navigate imposing so little on the lives of their new flatmates. When it gets tough and they look to us.

It puts the audience in it, maybe we’re the ones who are in part responsible, maybe we’re also in need of reclaiming parts of ourselves which have been bent out of shape.

But it’s also at these points when the show finds its warmest and funniest moments. While Ace grapples with who they’ve become because of their homelessness, they also confront their past and the journey they’ve been on.

As writer Vinnie Heaven said: “I wanted to highlight the extra energy and strength some people require to exist in the space they have to call home.

“The play ultimately celebrates the queer and trans community enduring, nurturing and flourishing.”

Faun is joyous and celebratory, but it also offers a glimpse at the way queer people are often forced to steer their way through a rigid and heteronormative world- trying not to get lost themselves along the way.

Aitch Wylie, who plays Ace, is a rising comedic star and the show manages to tacke such an imposing and important topic with more hope and humour than you could ask for.

The play was commissioned by Cardboard Citizens to explore the homelessness crisis affecting young transgender people in the UK. Signficantly, 24% of homeless young people identify as LGBTQ+ in the UK. Once homeless, LGBTQ+ young people are more likely to face violence and discrimination.

Faun will run at Alphabetti Theatre until 15th April before touring to London, Plymouth, Birmingham, Salford and Bristol.

You can grab your tickets here.