Ellen Leslie
A bold two-hander play written by Caitlin McEwan, Two Little Pigs examines toxic masculinity through the lens of a young man who has been corrupted by alpha-male rhetoric, and a talking pig. When Mark’s girlfriend Martha dumps him due to his poor attitudes towards women, he adopts a pet pig, hoping for easy companionship. What he doesn’t know is that Pig has been raised by feminist farmhands and has taught herself to walk and talk. With her sharp tongue and feminist values, she is not willing to submit to Mark’s controlling ways. Over time, a tentative friendship grows, as they challenge each other’s views on gender and loneliness.
McEwan is brilliant as Pig, bringing both sass and a child-like naivety to the role. She frequently has the audience in stitches with her sharp putdowns of Mark and funny misunderstandings of the world around her: her belief that misogyny is a person is a particular highlight. She fully commits to the role, snuffling in food bowls, snorting when she laughs and holding bent fingers out in front of her to represent trotters. Although they may seem small, these details add charm to the play. Placing McEwan in both the role of Martha and Pig is an effective decision. Pig’s knowledge of things that only Mark and Martha would know unnerves Mark, suggesting that he uses Pig as a replacement for his ex-girlfriend. It’s also a subtle nod to the argument they have at the start of the play, where Martha says that Mark’s obsession about clean eating makes her feel bad about herself.
Lighting is used effectively during Mark’s workout scenes, casting shadows over his face to make him look menacing. A voiceover of the exercise routine he is following highlights how the manosphere exploits male loneliness, and pushes men to believe in rigid, outdated male stereotypes. He is obsessed with “clean eating” and reaching his protein goal, which is one of the reasons why he gets Pig in the first place. While the play explains some of the reasons why men are drawn to the manosphere, it doesn’t absolve them of toxic behaviour. We don’t feel any sympathy towards Mark, especially considering he refuses to understand why Martha is upset with him, and goes on to berate her over the phone, further isolating himself from his brother, who is firmly on his ex-girlfriend’s side, in the process. The focus remains on women, who are all too often caught up and hurt by these attitudes through no fault of their own.
Dark, witty and wildly creative, Two Little Pigs highlights the dangers of hypermasculinity while holding the men who believe in it accountable. It’s thought-provoking and clever, and with lots of layers, the play is one that will stay with you for a while.
Recommended drink: A protein shake, paid for by a man to make up for the gender pay gap.
You can catch Two Little Pigs at The Green at Pleasance Courtyard until 30th August at 19:45. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Image credit: James Frederick Barrett
Eve Miller
Isobel Jacob
