Review: Safe

Alexis Gregory’s Safe puts the stories of homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ young people front and centre

“It’s a…phase”

A digital verbatim theatre piece on 

Taking its starting point as the startling statistic that 25% of homeless and at risk young people identify as LGBTQ+, Alexis Gregory’s Safe is a piece of verbatim theatre that allows those very young people to have their stories heard. It’s an arresting and sometimes challenging piece to be sure but a beautiful thread of hope runs throughout, leading us to a place that is uplifting but pragmatically so. 

Safe weaves together the stories of four homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ young people that Gregory met through akt. From stories of self-realisation to cautionary coming-out tales, families who throw you out to families who close ranks to try and keep secrets, there’s a skilful mix of experiences that whilst are full of commonalities, reminds us of how intensely personal one’s own journey is.

This feels particularly true when the two trans stories intertwine, the contrasts there speaking to the richness and diversity of experience which is still rarely explored dramatically. And the accounts of enduring difficulties in familial relationships hits a little harder when you consider how the pandemic removed an escape route for many, trapping them in toxic environments. 

Elijah Ferreira, Taofique Folarin, May Kelly and Mary Malone all give powerful nuanced performances of the testimonies handed to them. And though Gregory introduces a lightly artistic touch through music from LaMont and spoken-word from Yrsa Daley Ward, cinematography (Mann Bros) and lighting (Mike Robertson) ensure that the focus is on honouring the profound truths of these stories.

Running time: 1 hour
Photos: Jane Hobson
Safe is streaming for free via Hackney Empire here

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