Call Me Vicky Review – Pleasance Theatre

CALL ME VICKY

For the last time, it’s not Martin… it’s Vicky!

Written by sisters Nicola and Stacey Bland, Call Me Vicky is a debut play based entirely on a true story. This hard-hitting, comic production charts Vicky’s transition from male to female in a time that was far less understanding than the world we live in today.

It’s 1980 in Elephant and Castle. Martin and best friend Debbie are getting ready for another night out at Martin’s favourite night spot, The Golden Girl – one of Soho’s premier drag clubs. However, tonight is not a regular night out. Tonight is the night that will change Martin’s life forever.

The 1980s were not as forgiving and accepting towards people who questioned and acted against the “norm” or at least what they classed as the norm. It could actually be quite a dangerous place for anyone who stepped outside of gender and sexuality expectations but that didn’t stop Vicky from embracing her true self because why should you hold yourself back and act in a particular fashion because people don’t understand.

The play takes a look at the journey Martin took to become the person he always knew he was inside, Vicky. Vicky moved out of her Mum’s flat to live above the Golden Girl drag club, owned by the fabulous Drag Queen Fat Pearl played by Ben Welch who definitely needs to open up an actual drag bar so we can have Fat Pearl all the time. Also living above the bar is Gabby, a single mother to a five year old who wants to build a better life for them but cant let go of her drug addiction.

In contrast to the semi-glam but dark drag work, Vicky’s best friend Debbie is really caring and her greatest supporter, that is until she meets punk rocker Sid who respects Vicky for what she is doing and wants to stand by her side through the journey she is embarking on. Rather than sensationalising the story, the sisters have kept it down to earth and taken on the hard hitting moments of a tough life, including addiction, prostitution, petty crime and more.

The honest and open retelling of this true story makes you think about how many people have gone through similar situations and the hardships and attitudes they have had to face along their journey. Did their story have a happy ending, are they still fighting for their right to be themselves, or are they hiding that side of them because the people surrounding them would never accept that and they think the safer option is to keep it all locked away.

The cast is headed by Matt Greenwood, who’s raw portrayal of Vicky pulls you into the story and has you rooting for her to get her surgery acceptance. Stacey Bland, as Gabby, had me wanting to storm the stage and shake her for some of the decisions she was making, which just to clarify is a good thing because it meant I was really attached to the character. Adam Young played the sweetest punk you’ve ever met and I was so pleased that he stayed by Vicky’s side no matter the situation, because I was fully at one point on edge thinking he wasn’t going to turn on her.

Wendi Peters played Vicky’s Mum Sylvie and she was giving me all the old school London family vibes. From her smoking under the smoke alarm and just waving a towel under it until it turned off (which my Dad literally rang me the next day and happened to mentioned he’d just been doing) to having me craving Pie and Mash from Jamaica Road… I’m a Bermondsey girl if you didn’t know. Her representation of a Mum that only wants the best for her child but is worried about what the world has to say and how they’ll treat Vicky was very heartwarming.

I really enjoyed the show and left feeling pleased that after some terrible twists and turns Vicky was able to move forward with her surgery but also had my heart aching for those out there who have not been so fortunate. It was a powerful and fresh piece of work and I loved the music used throughout the show, especially Fat Pearl’s performances at the Golden Girl, although the set changes were a tad clumpy. It’s about time we started tackling the tougher topics and I love that The Pleasance Theatre are getting shows like this out there.