Jessies is a new play that looks at the history of Glasgow’s LGBT community throughout the years, centered around a fictional pub called Jessies which is based on an amalgamation of venues in the city.
We first meet the Jessies in 1980, just as homosexuality was decriminalised in Scotland. Old Jessie (Stewart W Fraser) has been hosting drag nights for years, as well as providing a safe haven for those who need it. Joined by Wee Jessie (James T Smith) and Big Jessie (Grant F Kidd), who are also the co-writers of the play, they perform as a drag trio, lip-syncing to pop icons.
The Jessies may tease each other relentlessly but its clear that they support each other and are keen to reach out to the wider community. The cast work really well together and the Jessies are supported by Stuart-John Irvine as Marc and Michaela Sweeney as Diana, who work in the bar but soon become family. Diana is given refuge from her abusive partner, and there’s a real poetry to the fact that people who aren’t widely accepted in society are the ones who are her safe place.
As the years roll on, we see how the AIDS crisis impacted the LGBT community and Grant F Kidd really excels with his rage at the injustice of so much loss.
Jessies is a little bit rough around the edges, but it has the bones of a brilliant show. At this particular performance, there were numerous microphone issues, and the lighting only seemed to have two functions: on or off. It will work beautifully in a fringe venue, but for the ticket price in a large venue, you might expect a more polished production.
At its heart, Jessies is a fantastic story that needs to be told, and it is handled with sensitivity and care. Jessies shows the power of resilience and it is particularly special to see it performed in the city where it takes place. It was quite a rowdy crowd on a Friday in Glasgow and I suspect some people were expecting more of a drag spectacular, but by the end, everyone was gripped by this tragic and triumphant story of community and LGBT history.
Reader Reviews
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