LEECH! - Theatre Review

 The Bread and Roses Theatre, London

Photo: Harri Thomas

It’s not often that we see a show like LEECH!. In its essence, it is a celebration of rural arts, queerness and great comedy, but also a heart-warming reminder that creativity is unique and can be showcased in many ways. Izzie Harding-Perrott, writer and performer of the show, doesn’t confine themselves to a strict style or genre: instead, they use stand-up comedy, interconnected narratives, sketch comedy and Ted talk-like banters to create an evening full of laughter and marvellous entertainment.

The structure of LEECH! consists of sections that offer different perspectives into the life of a queer creative from the Southwest of England. We start at a social event, those uncomfortable gatherings where actors come together to network and subconsciously compare themselves to everyone else. Struggling to find meaningful connections, Izzie decides to take a stroll down memory lane and give the audience an idea of what’s like to grow up in a rural community, in other words the polar opposite of what life is like in London.

With the assistance of photos and clips on a projector screen, Izzie provides useful information about tractors, the movie Robots and newsletter articles on trees. The pace is swift, the commentary hilarious and while the amount of work poured into the show is evident, there is a spontaneity and playfulness that cracks everyone up.

Izzie Harding-Perrott is radiant, a fantastic stage presence that knows how to interact with the audience and their surroundings in a spectacularly effortless manner. They don’t shy away from the absurdities of life and with the support of director Poppy Maxwell, who guides Izzie’s vision while giving them the freedom and space to be true to their story and dynamic self, they develop a relatable coming of age narrative,

There is no need for extravagant stylistic choices. The set is simple: a couple of crates, some pots and a watering can to bring us closer to the agricultural element. The lighting is sharp and vivid, a befitting accompaniment along with the audio clips of various other characters that accentuate the comedic nature of the show without overshadowing our main character.

By the end, you feel relaxed, like all the laughter has relieved some of the tension that each of us carry in our everyday lives, and somehow closer with the rest of the audience members around you. LEECH! is a refreshing and therapeutic break from city life, concluding that a community can be found or created even when you least expect it. And that if you have a dog, you should keep them out of seagulls’ reach.

The only thing left to say is that I can’t wait to see where LEECH! will go next and what other projects Izzie Harding-Perrott will bring us.