Following glowing reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Shedinburgh 2021, a revitalised production of Mediocre White Male will come to The Wardrobe Theatre on 27 and 28 May. Now joined by exciting producers Metal Rabbit Productions (Radiant Vermin, Soho Theatre; Spiderfly, Theatre 503), the updated production includes brand new sound and lighting design, taking it to the next level.
A tragicomedy about ancient history, recent past and present lies, Mediocre White Male follows the 30-year-old central character, still living in the same town and trapped working in a crumbling tourist attraction. He longs for a simpler time of Pokémon cards, school nicknames and stable pronouns, a time when he could open his mouth without offending a colleague... But nostalgia is always dangerous… With the living statue he has played for a decade threatened with cancellation, and with a figure from his past returning to haunt him, it might just be time to face up to some uncomfortable truths.
In between musings on shit jobs and filling dead time, Mediocre White Male slips in a searing portrait of male anger, fragility and vulnerability, touching on wider themes about being left behind in a small community, feeling abandoned as the world changes, and feeling confused in the face of a progressive agenda you don’t fully understand. How do we handle the increasing anger and detachment felt across British society, where town is pitted against city, tradition against ‘woke-ism’ and he/him faces off against she/her/they/them.
As society grapples with how to deal with its wider history of abuse, colonialism and uncaring capitalism, the protagonist (a relatable, complex and conflicted character) must deal with his own historical misdeeds, mistakes and demons.
Writers Will Close (Dave Comedy Award winner 2013; member of 1927 theatre company), who also performs, and Joe von Malachowski (Hero, Theatre Royal Stratford East) conceived the show while reflecting on high school experiences and how, in a small-town ecosystem, no one challenged the behaviour of older men pursuing younger girls. Co-Producer Sofi Berenger comments, After seeing Mediocre White Male and programming it for Shedinburgh 2021, I knew it would be a great fit at Wardrobe and I’m really excited Metal Rabbit Productions is able to join the team. Will & Joe’s fantastic writing is poignant, funny and nuanced and Will’s fantastic comedic timing really brings the role to life on stage. We can’t wait to bring this show to Wardrobe.
An hour of exceptional theatre ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – Broadway Baby
One of the best shows I’ve seen at the Fringe in the ten years of seeing them ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – Gonzo Magazine
A captivating performance ★ ★ ★ ★ – Scottish Daily Mail
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