Eve Miller
This masterclass in storytelling created and performed by the wonderful Niall Moorjani is a warm, accepting hug of a show. Beautiful storytelling, poetry, and live music combine to weave a rich tapestry of Arthurian legend and contemporary sensibilities.
The story follows Gawain, the shy outsider of the knights of the round table, as he is peer pressured into beheading the Green Knight, and must journey to meet his reciprocal fate one year later. Along the way, Gawain meets people (and seahorses) that open his mind and heart to possibilities beyond the gender and sexuality binary that he existed within at King Arthur’s court, and encourage him to look within and work out his identity for himself.
A truly incomparable performer, Moorjani wraps the audience in a blanket of calm reassurance that everything will be okay – they will live the story with us, and even if things are hard, we will go through it all together. The air of magic and acceptance that filled the space was remarkable, and I spent the whole performance with a huge smile on my face. Moorjani had the audience in the palm of their hand, as they spoke castles, forests, and bogs into existence, and lightly guided us along Gawain’s journey with him, allowing us to come to realisations alongside Gawain. They are also incredibly funny, unafraid to break out of the performance to share a joke with the audience as themself, and gleefully riffing on any slips of the tongue or technical issues that occurred.
Molly Cavanagh underscored the performance with delicate, folky acoustic guitar and soaring synths, building upon Moorjani’s electric atmosphere and suggesting magic, tradition, and realisation in turn, filling in seamlessly for the usual musician Tom Birch. The incredible headpieces designed by Arken Mark Walten were used to great effect in the created middle section of the story, illustrating different fantastical characters and bringing Moorjani themselves tangibly infectious joy. Particular mention must go to the two poems performed as part of the story by Moorjani – simple, lyrical, and moving, beautifully outlining the production’s key theme of acceptance.
Brimming with magic, warmly performed, and a joyful celebration of queerness and individuality, The Green Knight (But It’s Gay) is a wonder of the storytelling genre, by a true artist.
Recommended Drink: A spicy margarita – a fun twist on a classic that only makes it better.
Performances of The Green Knight (But It’s Gay) have now concluded at EdFringe 2025.
Jake Mace
Lamesha Ruddock
Jasmine Silk
