REVIEW: My Dad Wears A Dress, Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh Fringe ✭✭✭✭✭

Published on

August 14, 2023

pauldavies

Paul T Davies reviews My Dad Wears A Dress playing at Underbelly Cowgate as part of the Edinburgh Fringe.

Photo: Caitlin Van Bommel

My Dad Wears a Dress

Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh Fringe

5 Stars Book Tickets

The Fringe is a space for artists to explore and share their stories. Ever since she was a child, Maria Telnikoff's father has worn dresses and uses the pronoun she. This, of course, is perfectly natural to a child until they start school, were questions and attitudes are raised. This beautiful piece is honest and lived, joyous in its anecdotes and performance, yet dealing with awkwardness and shame, feeling forced to lie because people wouldn't understand your special Dad.

Telnikoff is a natural comedian, taking us back to the first day in school, where her word of the day was womb, right up to finally telling her best friend at the back of the bus on the way to school aged 17. In between there is a side-splitting mouse nativity, secret crushes and her parents split up, making it easier to explain Dad away. What emerges so skilfully is pride, following a moving discussion about Father's Day cards, it ends with a literal song and dance.

It's an absolute delight, beautifully structured, and will send you out into the Edinburgh morning full of pride. A gem of a piece, book now!

The BritishTheatre.com website was created to celebrate the rich and diverse theatrical culture of the United Kingdom. Our mission is to provide the latest UK theatre news, West End reviews, and insights into both regional theatre and London theatre tickets, ensuring enthusiasts can stay up to date with everything from the biggest West End musicals to cutting-edge fringe theatre. We are passionate about encouraging and nurturing the performing arts in all their forms.

The spirit of theatre is alive and thriving, and BritishTheatre.com is at the forefront of delivering timely, authoritative news and information to theatre lovers. Our dedicated team of theatre journalists and critics works tirelessly to cover every production and event, making it easy for you to access the latest reviews and book London theatre tickets for must-see shows.

THEATRE NEWS

TICKETS

THEATRE NEWS

TICKETS