NB. I reviewed this show at the Edinburgh Fringe, August 2015 but it’s on in London 11th-13th March at the Southbank Centre as part of the Women of the World Festival so catch it if you can! And check out Brigitte Aphrodite‘s website for other live dates.
There are many shows about mental illness at this year’s Fringe. It seems to be a popular subject and we’re probably just getting better, both performers and audiences, at talking about it.
It wasn’t easy to choose one from the long list, but the word GLITTER staring back at me from this particular blurb made me choose My Beautiful Black Dog and boy was that the right choice. Glitter never disappoints.
Performer extraordinaire Brigitte Aphrodite and her real-life partner musician Quiet Boy create a show that is deep and meaningful but also incredibly entertaining and hilarious at times.
The black dog of the title is a reference to what Winston Churchill used to call his Depression, and this show is about Brigitte’s own dog/depression, somehow presented in the most joyous and life-affirming hour. Aphrodite is mesmerising to watch: her poetry/spoken word whatever you want to call it, is beautiful and sharp. The songs, written and performed with Quiet Boy, go from hilarious ( Pop This Party was a personal favourite) to moving ( Creshendorious, which you can and should buy on iTunes), and you can sense a huge amount of respect, support and love between the two of them, which made everything more powerful.
I laughed till my belly ached and cried, no, sobbed unstoppably. The promised glitter, given to us at the start to put on our face and hair went absolutely everywhere and stayed with me for the rest of the day, just like the show.
This is a sad story but Aphrodite and Quiet Boy have turned into an inspiring journey on the way to coping with depression and not letting it take hold of your life. There is music, glitter, heaps of love, and I just can’t wait to see it again soon.
Connect with Brigitte Aphrodite to find out where the show is going next:
Facebook: /Brigitte.Aphrodite
Twitter: @BBBRIGITTE & @QUIETBUOY
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