Written by Jessica Toltzis
Directed by Eli Pauley
Review by Eve Nugent
“Never underestimate the power of a lesbian in love”.
That is the bold promise emblazoned on the Edie poster – and this moving one-woman show delivers it in full.
Jessica Toltzis takes to the intimate Annexe stage at Paradise in the Vault to embody Edie Windsor, a trailblazing figure in the 20th century American movement for LGBTQ+ rights. With warmth, wit and emotional depth, she traces Edie’s tumultuous and exciting life: her impressive work at IBM, a failed marriage to her brother’s friend Saul, her passionate relationship with psychologist Thea Spyer, and her role in the Supreme Court case to overturn Section 3 of the Defence of Marriage Act – a crucial landmark in the legalisation of same-sex marriage. Packed into one punchy, gut-wrenching hour, the renowned Edie is delicately laced together, avoiding a simplistic biographical approach.
“I choose you, do you choose me?” Edie’s 40-year romance with Thea is captured with beautifully natural evolution, as they grow from young, toxic lovers in 1967 to an elderly married couple in 2007. Whilst drawing on Windsor’s real life, Toltzis also manages to incorporate stunning theatrical details. Despite being alone on stage, Toltzis conjures an entire world: her knack for reacting and responding to unvoiced dialogue with genuine emotion makes the presence of unseen characters feel real for the audience. Equally, she sporadically breaks the fourth wall to directly address her audience, further drawing them into her deeply touching story, further evoking sympathy, and further forging human connections.
Overall, under the skilful direction of Eli Pauley, this poetic show balances perfectly personal intimacy with political resonance. As the final lights go down, the audience seems stunned into silence – tears were being wiped at the exit by this relatable and down-to-earth testament to love and the power of one woman’s fight for justice.
Relatable and Down-To-Earth
Marirpol ran at Paradise in Augustines
Running time: Sixty minutes without interval
Review by Eve Nugent (contact@corrblimey.uk)
An undergraduate French student at the University of Edinburgh, Eve has a diverse interest in theatre and performance. Her primary devotion is acting, predominantly at Bedlam Theatre with her fellow students, but also with French group ‘Les Escogriffes’ who perform annually at the French Institute of Scotland.
Her creative attention stretches also to classical music, as she enjoys playing the flute, piano and guitar. She thus looks forward to watching whatever the Fringe has to offer, irrespective of genre!
