Review: GUSH, Traverse Theatre

Gush is a new play written by Jess Brodie and directed by Becky Hope-Palmer, commissioned by the Traverse Theatre.

Ally (Jessica Hardwick) is in the final days of her pregnancy and she’s questioning her identity. Ally knows that once this baby is born, she’ll shift into being known only as a mother. She’s done everything she can do to prepare for the birth but something just doesn’t feel right.

Becky Minto’s design is extremely effective. The stage is curved, pulling us in and there’s a bed-like box of cushions centre stage. Ally initially dances politely around the cushions, making sure everything is neat, until she gives in to her own desires and immerses herself in the pile.

Ally has worked through her checklist of things to do before the baby comes and the one thing left is to explore her own identity fully. She’s always been attracted to women, but never before acted on it and this feels like her last chance. 

Jess Brodie’s script is packed with warmth and wit as Ally finds herself in a hotel in Cambuslang (an area where she figures she won’t know anyone) waiting on a sex worker she’s contacted online. It’s an intense situation for Ally but the writing is playful without taking away any of the seriousness of what she’s facing. 

Jessica Hardwick’s performance is captivating and despite some questionable moral choices, you can see why she’s doing what she’s doing, and Ally remains likeable throughout.

Gush is a wholly unpredictable and fresh piece of new writing that makes for an exhilarating 70 minutes of theatre.

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