Playhouse Theatre, Sheffield – until 6th September 2025
Reviewed by Sharon Farley
5*****
In Dear Young Monster, Pete MacHale (Still Here, Choose or Die, Involuntary Activist) has created a multi-layered, funny, touching, and poignant portrayal of the early stages of a trans man’s physical journey into realising his true self. The direction from Sammy J. Glover (Baby in the Mirror, Unicorn, The Last Show Before We Die) is tight and the simple set permits MacHale’s performance to dominate the focus.
On opening, the character we meet is awkward and anxious, but eagerly embracing what in reality is a truly daunting prospect; the physical transformation that will complete their identity. As if this process weren’t difficult enough, MacHale frames it for us not only by relaying the physicality and frustration of medical transition, but also via the lens of how his transformation is received by those around him. It’s a mixed bag of highs and lows that demonstrates both beautifully and painfully the isolating experience generated through fielding the opinions and behaviours of others. By cleverly blending this deeply personal storytelling with the projected images of the 1931 horror classic ‘Frankenstein’, parallels are created that any viewer can relate to, be they Queer, CIS, or anything in between.
The fluctuations between confidence and shame, elation and frustration, fun and fear provide the emotional hooks that enable the audience to ride the course alongside him, transversing terrains such as the concerned parent, judgemental neighbour, fractured friendships and dangerous strangers. All these densely loaded themes are skilfully navigated with the grounding interjections of witty observations that instantly dispel the weight.
On arrival at the (spoiler alert) happy ending, we see the character transform into a secure and self-assured individual standing in the completeness of their own creation. We are witness to the growth from nervous teen to confident adult as well as the tangible physical transformation.
Though the medical transition process is one only a tiny percentage of the population will ever experience, this performance is replete with easily relatable moments anyone that has survived life’s challenges can identify with, thus highlighting how very human the Trans journey is. Being so accessible makes this production as important to raising awareness of Trans issues as it is an enjoyable and entertaining piece of theatre. Writer and performer MacHale is highly deserving of the standing ovations being received.