REVIEW: ROADKILL, DYKEish, EdFringe 2025 ★★★★★

Content Warning: Discussion of Sexual Violence, Transphobia and Hate Crime

Cosmo’s life has been turned upside down by an act of transphobic violence – but they’re sure as hell going to not let us define them by it. Irish Queer company DYKEish’s EdFringe debut ROADKILL is a rallying call to arms for trans liberation and safety, powered by a formidable and often hilariously relatable solo performance from Niamh O’Farrell-Tyler.

Nostalgia runs rife through Cosmo’s mind as they ask us to question what makes a safe space. Dreamy childhood visions of staying up late to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show merge with working class life, working in Tesco, and most prevalently, indulging in the very strongest hedonistic desires. Cosmo could “make a very good girl”, they admit, and often did so in the beds of strangers who mistreated them, misunderstood them – who never wanted to treat them well or understand them in the first place.

Cosmo navigates shedding one group of friends for another as the streets of Dublin take them on a whiplash-inducing and seemingly endless bender. As their sexuality develops and they begin to assert their identity as a non-binary person their rowdy desires clash with how they wish people could perceive them. What strikes you deepest is that Cosmo is entirely unapologetic for who they are against the backdrop of a world that, often violently, excludes them from basic human rights.

Niamh proves themselves to be an utterly commanding storyteller – embodying some elements of Cosmo with a sly grin, and others with a wide-eyed nostalgic glaze. In the opening moments of the show we see them cowered in the corner of the thrust stage, back to the audience, and within seconds we learn that Cosmo has found themselves backed into too many corners in their life. Niamh’s performance instead provides Cosmo an authentic, unyielding voice that bakes in so much wonderfully realised queer humour. You’re likely to find yourself unable to take your eyes off of them over the tragically brief 45 minute show time.

Cosmo’s costume – Rocky Horror-inspired – starkly contrasts against the exploration of sexual violence that eventually unfolds within the piece. Cosmo is someone in the process of reclaiming their sexual identity from those who have forced them into misogynistic boxes for the sake of their own libido. Powerfully funny storytelling about period sex merges with the costume design – smeared makeup on Cosmo’s face both a callback and yet also ominous considering the show’s continual inconclusivity on aforementioned hate crime.

The act of violence referenced frames the entire piece yet tight direction from Shauna-Anne Lynch and concise writing from Niamh keeps the show focused on the ephemeral experiences in Cosmo’s life and the corporeal feelings they experience with their body – both in and out of sex. It’s a refined, smart and fresh script backed by simple but conducive design. Highlights include the glow of the TV on Cosmo’s face provided by apt lighting against subtle Rocky Horror soundscaping to evoke childhood nostalgia and recent resonant trans stories such as I Saw The TV Glow.

Some may be likely to find DYKEish’s decision to perform the bows in a shirt with ‘FUCK TERFs’ emblazoned across it controversial – it should be remembered that acts of transphobic violence and hate are not only rife but increasing. Cosmo’s story might ask you to look at their life and wonder what part of the transphobic hate crime they suffer is their fault. The simple answer – none.

Unabashed, brazen, brilliant. Catch this short run of what is quintessentially dynamic and involving trans storytelling.

Recommended Drink: Pair this short 45 minute piece with a shot of tequila – pungent and powerful.

You can catch ROADKILL until August 9th at theSpace on the Mile – Space 2 from 19:30 (45mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.

Image Credit: Kallum Linnie