Show 15: Steen Raskopoulos: Stay

This is the 3^rd show of his I’ve seen, after having heard about him on Comedian’s Comedian and after his nomination for Best Newcomer in 2014 at the Edinburgh Festival. It’s also his most honest.

Please note this review will contain a spoiler alert, which is highlighted.

If you don't want the show to be spoilt, just know that this was one of the most impactful shows I've ever seen and I implore anyone with even a passing appreciation of comedy and theatre to watch this...

There aren't many shows that have really stayed with me and affected me days after I've watched them, but Steen Raskopoulos's show 'Stay' is one of them.

For the most part this is another character sketch show with smatterings of audience participation, though far less than in previous years. The show centres around an interrogation scene where the suspect is repeatedly questioned about what happened last year on 26th May. As the interview passes, Raskopoulos plays out various fantasies and scenes, some related, some off-beat and unrelated, but all demonstrating his masterful use of the stage and space, his ability to portray various characters, and in the times when he does bring the audience in, his ability to bring out the best in his volunteers and to riff on some, oftentimes, bizarre suggestions.

The show overall had a slightly darker feel compared to previous shows, and to be honest at times it felt it lacked the energy of his previous performances, but it's all made up in an exceptionally beautiful, raw, powerful ending.

*Spoilers from here*

Towards the end, Raskopoulos unravels the theatrical pretence - he realises that he is playing both the interrogator and suspect, and all the previous characters are played on voice over all at once. Raskopoulos unravels and the noise stops. It's now we learn just way 26th May was so important.

A host of troubles befell Raskopoulos in the past couple of years, including the sexual transitioning his sister (formerly brother, Jordan). I hadn't even notice, but his previous show had including a horse character grieving the death of his brother, and now Raskopoulos bears himself open to us. He tells us the hour he has on stage is his escape but it nearly became too much.

Through the show he’s referenced his grandfather and his dementia, and Raskopoulos mentions that he regularly records these conversations and as we hear the conversation from that day, Raskopolous waits for us to take it in, with tears in his eyes, and he tells us that this is why he chose to stay.

An indelible ending and a show I’ll remember for a long time.

Score: 9/10

Venue: Underbelly on Cowgate – Belly Button

Dates: 10^th-26^th August (not 13^th)

Time: 20:00

Price: £12.50 (£11.50 concessions) weekends, £11.50 (£10.50) weekdays