Honest, silly, earnest, open-hearted and totally charming – Robin Tran is all of these in her Edinburgh debut. A practised delivery connects and engages with her audience, whether she’s regaling with the story of her coming out to her mother as trans (a real comic gem of communication issues), or her enjoyment of free porn during the pandemic. There’s a contrary and joyful defiance in finding the positive – a veritable Pollyanna that is a goddamned delight
Tran’s fun and uplifting persona belies the heavy-lifting of her content matter, with the strong calibre of her writing and performance carrying the load as she resolutely finds a brighter side of the very dark coin she shares early on of mental health troubles, family difficulties and suicidal thoughts. She’s not papering over troubles she’s had as an American Vietnamese trans lesbian within the US health system. But looking them squarely in the face and in so doing tackling them head on – with a deft turn of phrase and an enjoyably laid bare self-awareness that elicits laughter at her troubles without bringing on pity.
That’s not to say Tran doesn’t play fast and loose with ‘the line’, teasing out permission to laugh as she elaborately explains why her judgements on her Vietnamese community aren’t racist, following this up with a slam-dunk generalisation that lands perfectly. A bold sensitivity.
‘Don’t Look At Me’ could be Tran’s anti-suicide note, her love letter for the life that she has struggled with and is now on better terms with. There are quieter bits that don’t prompt laughter, but all reach out with an open honesty, and leave you happier for the hour spent in her company.
Robin Tran: Don’t Look At Me: 18:25 Assembly George Square – The Box, 2-7 August 2023 (except 15th)
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22Robin%20Tran%3A%20Don’t%20Look%20at%20Me%22
