Review: Dear Young Monster (Soho Theatre)

Review by Rosie Holmes

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Having been feeling a little bit sorry for myself, after scrolling through endless posts about the Edinburgh Fringe, I was excited to see a show in one of my favourite theatres in London, Soho Theatre. Written and performed by Pete MacHale, Dear Young Monster is a solo show and a visceral exploration of identity, transformation, and the monsters we carry within us. It’s bold, poetic, and unflinchingly honest, an hour of theatre that leaves you breathless and thinking long after the lights come up.

MacHale plays a young trans man who has retreated to his hometown after dropping out of university, grappling with the early stages of medical transition. His body is changing, his relationships are fraying, and the world outside feels increasingly hostile. But salvation comes in the form of a midnight screening of Frankenstein, where the stitched-together monster on screen becomes a mirror for the protagonist’s own fragmented sense of self.

The show’s central metaphor, comparing our narrator’s trans experience to Frankenstein’s monster, is both poignant and powerful. MacHale brilliantly illustrates the claustrophobia of being trapped in a body that feels alien, the yearning to be understood, and the fear of being seen as monstrous. It’s a concept that could easily veer into melodrama, but here it’s handled with nuance and wit. The writing is sharp, poetic, and often darkly funny, with moments of levity that land just when they’re needed.

MacHale's charismatic performance immediately draws the audience in. From the moment he steps onto the stage, his energy is palpable, creating an intimate atmosphere where it feels as though he is addressing each audience member individually. There’s a rare intimacy in his delivery, every glance, every pause, every flicker of emotion feels tailored to you. It’s theatre at its most personal. Whilst the show is a one-man performance, the supporting characters are brought to life through MacHale's skilful voice work and physicality. The interactions, especially with more and more distant best friend Mia and his well-intentioned but sometimes fumbling mother, are portrayed with warmth and complexity, avoiding caricature and instead offering a window into the intricacies of relationships during the period of transition.

Director Sammy J Glover's staging is both inventive and effective. The pacing is tight, ensuring that emotional moments land with impact and sees MacHale transition between the dark and lighter parts of his story effectively. This is further enhanced by lighting design from Hugo Dodsworth, who cleverly plays with shadows, transforming a light and friendly room into one full of shadows, monsters lurking behind our protagonist. The lighting design creates rapid shifting moods which add a surreal edge to the protagonist’s internal world. One moment you’re in a quiet bedroom, the next you’re plunged into a fever dream of monstrous figures and flickering horror reels. The simple set design allows MacHale to be the sole focus, but provides a wonderful backdrop for cinematic clips to be projected upon, and offers a heart-warming and hopeful surprise towards the end.

Dear Young Monster is a testament to the power of theatre to illuminate personal experiences and universal truths. MacHale's ability to intertwine humour, horror, and heart makes this production a standout. It's a show that not only entertains but also educates and empathises, offering a poignant look at the challenges and triumphs of embracing one's true self.

For those seeking a performance that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, Dear Young Monster is not to be missed. Its run at Soho Theatre is an opportunity to witness a compelling narrative brought to life by a talented performer that is one to watch.

Dear Young Monster plays at Soho Theatre until Saturday 16th August, tickets and more information can be found here - Dear Young Monster - Soho Theatre

Photos by Alex Brenner