Review by Marina Funcasta
From Jonny Woo to Tom at the Farm, the abundance of coming-of-age/coming-out content this Fringe Festival has been truly remarkable. All tales are bittersweet, but the conversation seems to be expanding. At least in the theatre world.
This is of course a wonderful move forward. And Michael DeBartolo’s solo show, Tell Me Where Home Is (I’m starting to forget), is proof of this. Recounting his own hauntingly heavy obstacles in his journey towards self acceptance, DeBartolo’s show is brimming with love and light. DeBartolo’s humour is loud and proud, making use of facial expressions and accents to colour in between the tragic lines of his stories. These range from locker room escapades to erotic VHS tapes, but no matter their content, DeBartolo is consistent in their captivating charisma and self-assured demeanour.
The main issue is, with the emergence of the queer Bildungsroman as a Fringe solo-show sub-genre, I can’t help but wonder what makes DeBartolo’s story stand out from similar shows, and vice versa. Especially when writing a show so anchored in the technology of the late twentieth century, I can’t help but wonder as to what brings DeBartolo’s home back to the present time.
This said, DeBartolo’s show is a reliable and entertaining show I would recommend to anyone in need of a giggle to get them through a fringe filled night!
Reliable and Entertaining
Tell Me Where Home Is (I’m Starting to Forget) runs at theSpace @ Surgeons Hall
Running time: Fifty minutes without interval
Photo credit: Arin Sang
Review by Marina Funcasta (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Marina is halfway through an English literature degree at Edinburgh University, wherein she has been (considerably) involved in the drama scene: enjoying performing with their Shakespeare Company shows, but also modern takes on Arthur Miller. However, Marina’s interests are wide-ranging under the theatre genre – enjoying abstract, more contemporary takes on shows (with a keen interest in Summerhall)
