Qulture Magazine

Words: Clíona Mccann

Acts of Contrition is sharp and witty, yet heartfelt. Direct from a sell-out run in Barcelona, Glasgow-born John-Gerrard McFaulds recounts his struggle with sexuality and shame in a dynamic new theatre piece.

The Fringe offers many shows which tackle the discord between sexuality and religion, but few achieve the nuanced perspective of Acts of Contrition. McFaulds handles his Catholic upbringing with a balance of reverence and criticism, highlighting a complexity that many artists fail to execute.

This show is raw and entirely uncompromising. It’s structured masterfully, somehow weaving together heights of extreme tension and emotion with choreographed Madonna dance numbers- and somehow it never feels tonally unsteady.

McFaulds is completely at home on the stage. Chronicling his own life story, Acts of Contrition is a marathon for McFaulds and he never falters; he simply powers through with a strong, unwavering performance. His authenticity is brilliantly complimented by the talents of Lena Sakalla and Daniel Ewing, cycling through a sprawling cast of characters at breakneck pace.

With a tiny cast of three, Acts of Contrition is anything but quaint. Its emotional core blasts far beyond the limits of the intimate room hosting it. This show is a shining example of the authentic spirit of Fringe; Acts of Contrition undoubtedly will find an adoring audience wherever it goes next.