REVIEW: Bottom, Summerhall, Edinburgh Fringe ✭✭✭✭

Paul T Davies reviews Willy Hudson's play Bottom now playing at Summerhall at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Photo: Joe Magowan Bottom Summerhall, Edinburgh Fringe

17 August 2018

4 Stars

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Willy Hudson's hilarious thought-provoking play goes far beyond a far too obvious joke based on the role gay men are put into regarding sexual activity. Dating via Tinder, Willy is always asked, as probably all gay men are, "Top or bottom?" On his third date with a Tinder contact, Willy has locked himself naked in his own bathroom, while his date sits with the remains of dinner. The problem? Both identify as a bottom, and Willy is panicking because he feels expected to top.

From the start, his interaction with the audience is excellent, he is hugely likeable, and the piece is very honest about his vulnerability. Using the power of Beyonce, singing songs on his ukelele, (reminding me of Phoebe's funny but honest songs in Friends), and the bottom half of a mannequin, he builds up to the moment when he has to admit he can't do it.

Hilarious as this is, I especially liked when he took to the microphone and dismantles the heterosexual normativity that was adopted into gay sex, and this lifts the play above the level of a very fine comedy. Whatever your sexuality, he has much to say, and you won't find much better company for an hour on the Fringe. Highly recommended.

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