one4review | On 11, Aug 2019

With a live thumping soundtrack provided by the excellent Leisha Thomas and Mwen Rukandema and a black volcanic moonscape on stage, Rachael Young slowly emerges ready and dressed to go ‘nightclubbing’. Through spoken word, singing and movement she entwines the story of Grace Jones’ hard fought  rise to fame, with three young black girls being rejected from a nightclub in the present day. The tragedy is that society has not moved on (or has even regressed) and the colour of your skin has the double-edged sword of getting you both noticed and ignored. The nature of the show meant these narratives were somewhat disjointed which I felt lost some of the strength of Rachael’s message, but the highlight of the show was when Rachael donned huge black platform shoes and hoola hooped her way through an extensive list of apologies for the colour of her skin with impressive agility. With a challenging but hugely enjoyable show, Rachael Young is a name to watch.

Reviewed by Rona

Summerhall

3.45pm

Until 11th August