Images: selinathompson.co.uk

Selina Thompson promised a show based around the concept of Glitter, Chicken Legs and a Rice Pudding Pinata, and what an accurate description that is. You may be wondering how on earth those three things can be a major part of a show; well, Chewing the Fat is no ordinary show.

It opens with Selina dressed as a giant balloon bubble, and the sight of her is enough to make me wonder what have I let myself in for. She then proceeds to get one audience member to agree to read a letter at the end of the performance aloud to everyone, and she hands another a pot of Ambrosia Rice Pudding. A generous gift? No, she asks them to fling this at her whenever they see fit. The woman is a walking nut ball!

But it’s this quirkiness that makes Selina so endearing and lets the audience emotionally connect with her on so many levels. I can honestly say regardless of who you are or where you come from, you’ll find it impossible not to relate to this woman. She is charming and funny, yet has experienced all the worries and problems of society today. Does she let this bother her? No. Instead, she’s used this emotion to drive a passion of creative, comedic genius that leaves the audience wanting more. This was particularly true during the interval when she proceeded to hand out free KitKats and Everyday Value Apple Juice.

Although this show is full of life, vibrancy and many comedic moments, the thing that makes the performance so impressive is the deeply layered undertones that are the whole premise of the show. She stresses right from the start that the show is not about fat shaming or endorsing it; it’s not saying it’s better to be big or small. Selina has grown up always being ‘fat’, always using food as a means of release, be it dieting or binging. She brings forward an interesting portrayal of what society is like for an average female growing up in a weight obsessed society, and how the word ‘fat’ and is seen as an ugly word.  It’s all highlighted by her various performed anecdotes of glitter infused dances and one heart-breaking scene involving a whole chicken and one woman’s desperation.

I would honestly recommend this show to everyone. This show is powerful, clever and creative. If ever in need of a confidence boost and to genuinely leave feeling good about yourself then this show fits the bill completely.

Emily Willson