 At this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, one of the most unforgettable lines has already came from ROADKILL: “You can be anyone with a binder and a strap-on.” Bold, brilliant, and delivered to perfection, it may just go down as the quote of the festival.
Niamh O’Farrell-Tyler delivers a remarkable and deeply affecting performance as Cosmo recounting the chaotic, tender, and sometimes hilarious milestones of their formative years. In just 45 minutes, Cosmo takes us on a whirlwind journey through the moments that shaped their beginning with a late-night viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a lightning bolt of queer awakening that cracked open something inside them. What follows is a vivid and unapologetic exploration of identity, sexuality, and selfhood—from working in Tesco and tapping into their unruly, electric desires, to navigating early sexual experiences and the ever-evolving push-and-pull of relationships with friends and parents. Threaded through ROADKILL is the story of a literal car crash and one we know has happened, but not how it ends. It casts a shadow over the entire piece, creating a quiet but constant tension that builds alongside Cosmo’s memories of growing up, coming out, and figuring themselves out in a world that’s not always kind. We don’t know if Cosmo survives until the show’s final moments, and that ambiguity lends added weight to everything—from the sexual exploration to the moments of joy and recklessness. It’s a clever structural choice that mirrors the reality many LGBTQ+ people face with violence and hate crimes against them on the rise in the UK, and reports showing a lack of access to safe spaces. What makes ROADKILL so compelling is the way Niamh O’Farrell-Tyler blurs the line between performer and character as you’re never quite sure where Cosmo ends and Niamh begins. That ambiguity is part of the magic. It feels lived-in, personal, and genuine, even if you can’t say exactly how much of it is. But maybe that’s the point. Just the act of sharing this story of queer sexuality, joy, fear, and survival is powerful in itself. It’s funny, sharp, and moving, but also quietly reminds us that for many LGBTQ+ people, safety is never guaranteed, and that living openly can come at a real cost. A certain infamous author who lives in Edinburgh and one who has made their views on trans lives painfully clear would do well to witness with a show like this. ROADKILL is the kind of theatre that doesn’t just entertain; it asks us to listen, to witness, and to question what kind of world we’re making for those who dare to just be themselves. Lee Hutchison 4/5 ROADKILL Venue: Dates: August 2nd to 9th Time: 1930 Tickets: www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/roadkill |
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