Looking Cis – IDGTF – Teacher’s Club – Review
by Gearóid O’Byrne

1st – 6th of May at the Teacher’s Club

Written and performed by Ella Skolimowski, this is a one-person show running this week until the 6th of May at the Teachers Club Main Hall at 7.30pm with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30 pm.

Taking on the topical issue of being non-binary is a courageous and difficult thing to do in the current climate. Set against the backdrop of a fictional competition for “Ireland’s NBist NB” (think “Big Brother”) Ella has just been booted off for being old, looking cis and saying things she shouldn’t. However, the post-eviction interview gives her the opportunity to really express her position and set out her stall.

Using multimedia flashbacks of her time at the competition, she engages with the anonymous off-stage interviewer, answering a long series of probing questions about her position and experience in the competition.

There is comedy in this piece as well as a more serious exposition of what non-binary actually means for Ella. With much food for thought about the definition and meaning of non-binary as an umbrella term for gender identities that are not solely male or female, it was an interesting piece that certainly enhanced my knowledge of the area.

If you want to learn more about what being non-binary actually means (but are afraid to ask!) then this thought-provoking piece definitely should not be missed.