A compelling journey of inspiring spoken word that beautifully represents the LGBTQ+ community.
We live in a time when the LGBTQ+ community receives mass media attention, but the majority of this attention is high-level news stories, that oftentimes fail to deliver valuable insight or information about the LGBTQ+ community. Ignorance is certainly not bliss in this instance, especially when it results in failing to accurately represent and understand LGBTQ+ individuals. Luckily, Lou C (AKA Lucy Aphramor), has come to the rescue in the form of compelling spoken word, with their show Packed House.
The show consists of cleverly constructed poems that take viewers on a transcendental journey of Lou’s experiences of being nonbinary. Each poem is deeply thought-provoking, as Lou bears their soul in a way that is raw, sexy, honest, and yet still manages to be humorous.
As a viewer, I found this show powerfully introspective as it provokes viewers to question and relive their own experience of the emotions that Lou brings to life through spoken word. The show illuminates not only the importance of celebrating the LGBTQ+ community but also the stark lack of information and understanding that modern society has to effectively embrace and support the LGBTQ+ community. Packed House sees Lou’s journey brought to life and spoken bravely with conviction, as Lou leaves no emotion unturned.
Packed House manages to both unite and educate viewers. It does so against a backdrop of profoundly beautiful wordsmithery that reinforces the delicate, yet vital, message that no matter what our individual experiences are, we are all connected by the intertwined journey of being human, and that sees us experience so many of the same emotions as each other no matter our differences or circumstances may be. These emotions are spread out across a spoken spectrum of anxiety, the desire to be loved, lust, humor, introspection, joy, pain, and vulnerability.
Without meaning to, Lou represents all of us, as they take viewers on a captivating literary voyage of witty, profound, and life-altering experiences. Lou also shines a melodic light on the painful parts of our society; mistreatment, prejudice, and separation, but also on the painful parts of ourselves that we try to hide, like shame and confusion. This results in a cathartic, artistically inspiring show that breathes life into society’s hope of becoming better; more inclusive, more educated, and most importantly, more ourselves – together.
Rebekah Sawyers
Radio Summerhall Arts 