Review: DAVID HOYLE: DIAMOND, Tron Theatre, Glasgow

David Hoyle's Diamond was created to celebrate and commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality last year. The piece documents his upbringing in Blackpool through to present day.

Each carefully chosen word is delivered to a captive audience. During intense monologues, the stage is blacked out, with only a spotlight illuminating Hoyle. He addresses what it was like growing up knowing that you could legally be your true self, but not until you were 21.

Hoyle raises some excellent points about gender and how ludicrous it is that depending on what genitals you have that you're supposed to like one kind of clothing or a particular type of toy. That it is unhelpful to be told you can only be one or the other and why do we have imaginations and hearts if we're so limited?

There is an excellent balance of angry and passionate political commentary and upbeat musical interludes. Four piece drag act The Lipsinkers take to the stage in fun costumes to perform upbeat numbers between scenes.

While this is a mostly political piece it is very accessible and delivers information to the audience without being patronising. Diamond is an uplifting, educational and empowering piece of theatre.

David Hoyle: Diamond runs at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow until May 26th.

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