Ellen Leslie
It’s very fitting that read me is performed in Dundee’s Central Library. Brought to the stage by Queertre theatre company, the show follows Will (Calum Dwyer), Ezra (Syd Hymanson) and Josh (Steven Dunbar), who join a queer book club. When the leader doesn’t turn up, they decide to take over, ditching the recommended book The Picture of Dorian Grey for more contemporary novels. It is an insightful show that deals with many themes affecting LGBTQ+ people such as identity, relationships and belonging.
Each character is at a different stage of their journey. Ezra is comfortable with their queerness, and is not afraid to advocate for themselves and other queer people. Will is more timid, and is yet to find a place where they feel they can belong. Josh has been sent along by his partner, although the reasons why are unclear. Although they are very different people, their bond grows throughout the show, and it’s touching to see how they care for each other, despite their disagreements.
The characters all have compelling backstories, but some are more realistic than others. Will is delightful, and Dwyer fits into the role perfectly. Their caring and awkward nature is extremely endearing, and they are by far the most likeable character in the play. Dunbar’s performance is slightly stiff at first, but after some time they settle into the role well. Josh’s character development is outstanding, and it’s nice to see them challenge their misconceptions around gender and masculinity. Hymanson attacks the role of Ezra with a fierce confidence, but they never feel as realistic as the other characters. While they raise good points, some of their dialogue comes across as forced and unnatural. Their jokes don’t really land, and come across as mean-spirited.
Discussions around gender are nuanced and very interesting. During a conversation about fashion and how they choose to present themselves as non-binary, Will decides their gender identity is a fuzzy jumper, while Ezra’s is ripped fishnets, chipped nail polish, and a poison dart frog. This leads to a heated argument between Ezra and Josh. We can see this from both points of view: Ezra feels like Josh is attacking them for their gender identity, while Josh is frustrated by the huge amount of information he is trying to absorb, some of which doesn’t make sense to him. It is Will who plays peacemaker, gently pointing out to Ezra that Josh is their friend, not an enemy, and that they are speaking a language that he barely knows the alphabet to. It is a refreshingly empathetic take on something that is often a contentious topic, and serves as a reminder that a little bit of kindness, patience and understanding can go a long way.
Ezra has chronic illnesses, and it’s great to see representation of this on stage. I would have liked to see more discussion about how disability intersects with queerness. Although they use a walking stick and make a few references to it during book club meetings, most discussion of how their illness affects them happens towards the end of the play, which makes it feel almost like it’s been added on as an afterthought. The catalyst for the discussion doesn’t fit either: Will is sweet and compassionate, so it’s odd that they wouldn’t remember Ezra’s illness, or that they would hold it over their head as Ezra implies.
The show would benefit from a character who identifies as female to provide a different perspective on the issues they face, however I appreciate that it is impossible to fit everything into a 65-minute show. Overall, it is a bold and highly relevant show that I’d recommend to anyone with an interest in gender.
Recommended Drink: The Pitcher of Dorian Grey Goose: vodka, and frozen lemonade, served with cucumber and fresh mint.
Performances of read me have concluded at Dundee Fringe 2026.
Tom Clayton
