As I approach The Fishing Museum on Brighton seafront to catch the world premiere of LIV: Sapphic Shakespeare at the Brighton Fringe, I am greeted by a smiling and friendly woman who scans my ticket, lets me use some ancient toilets a few doors along, which she warns me smell of fish and then humbly ushers in the audience to the Old Net Loft.
The Fishing Museum is a charming yet quirky Brighton location. By day, it is free to enter, housing fascinating posters and photos. Upstairs, the Old Net Loft, is a rustic setting. This is my second visit there and both times I have witnessed tiny parts of the ceiling fall on the floor.
I choose a seat as Chappell Roan tunes play. A glamourous blonde woman adorned in black kneels by a gravestone on stage, arranging flowers and lighting a candle, wiping away real tears from behind her dark shades. This is Liv, played by Beth Birss, whose grief feels palpable. It becomes clear she is a high-profile Lady, mourning the loss of her brother. Beth Birss has a powerful and commanding presence in this clever reimagining of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
I hear a noise on the stairs and the kind person who just scanned my tickets appears to be approaching the stage. This is what I love about Fringe theatre. I realise this is the play’s talented writer and performer Tanieth Kerr, who is now playing Rio, Liv’s potential love interest. Rio (who under the hat is Vi, hiding her female identity) works for a Duke who is trying to woe Liv for political gain.
In a mirroring of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and twins Viola and Sebastian, it emerges that Rio has also encountered a deep loss of their twin brother. As Rio, Tanieth Kerr gives a poignant and tearjerking soliloquay about that loss. There are many moving moments in this performance and this one particularly stands out. Another is when Liv says to Rio: “Let me carry it for you” in relation to the heaviness of grief.
Both performers – Beth and Tanieth are captivating and flawless in this powerful rewriting of a Shakespeare classic. Especially impressive as the soundscape of Brighton seafront occasionally floods in through the open window – from pumping music to a dog barking.
It is the Sapphic twist that breathes new life and queer joy into this Shakespearean love story. Rio’s fears around their hidden identity feel everso poignant right now given the opression of our trans brothers and sisters right now more than 400 years after this play was written.
To end on a joyful note, it was a privilege to see friends and family supporting these two women in LIV: Sapphic Shakespeare’s debut and to revel in their pride. Beth Birss and Tanieth Kerr are certainly ones to watch.
Headache Creative Productions is on at the Fishing Museum Old Net Loft May 14 and 15 at 7pm and 8.30pm. It will then tour other Fringe festivals.
Tickets: Brighton Fringe
Venue: Fishing Museum, 200 King’s Road Arches
