It’s been too long. It’s funny what a global pandemic does to your idea of spending time in a public theatre - even one as perfectly formed as the Dundee Rep.

If you get a chance to witness And in person, I urge you do so. I certainly plan to return. Which is fine, because the now 28 year old Charlotte plans to perform this show for the rest of her life - each time revised to reflect her greater experience.

But what is it?

A solo contemporary dance show? Performance poetry? A living memoir? Charlotte’s own web page for the work describes it so:

And is an auto-biographical performance about growing up as a woman, and explores culture, identity, nationality and politics.

In the spirit of all performance living in the space between performer and audience, I would add that’s it’s a reflection of the individual impact of a turbulent world on the idea of self, joy, responsibility, and guilt.

It’s deeply personal performance story-telling.

Verdict?

Both fierce and gentle, cutting and comedic, And is an emotional and poignant story of a young woman and womanhood - generationally tied to mothers past and yet cautiously optimistic about future children.

A perfect show for a rainy Wednesday. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

More info: And by Charlotte Mclean