Theatre / Kat Lyons
Review: Kat Lyons: Dry Season, The Rondo Theatre, Bath – ‘A tale of loss, confusion and eventual acceptance’
In a different life, or possibly still in this one, I would like to be Kat Lyons’ friend. I think a night out with them, a long evening in or a walk beside the river would be a healing and restorative experience. I would confide in them, laugh, listen and feel heard. I’m already sad at the thought that won’t happen.
But I don’t really want to see them perform an hour long solo show again. In Dry Season Lyons speaks with engaging honesty about a shocking diagnosis of early menopause at the age of 38.
The story starts with a beautiful piece of writing – the creation of an Everygirl, made from all those young women in fairy tales, who never grow old and will never experience the crushing invisibility of middle age. We know these women, once upon a time we wanted to be them (or protect them) and we tell our own children about them. So far, so universal.
is needed now More than ever
Kat Lyons, Dry Season – photo: Suzi Corker
But then we’re invited into Lyons’ personal experience of poorly-informed medical intervention and patronising folklore as they navigate insomnia and anxiety, caused by what turns out to be an inherited hormonal cocktail which will not only deprive them of their fertility, but plunge them into osteoporosis.
It’s a tale of loss, confusion and eventual acceptance. Some of it is relatable – murmurs of recognition ripple round the audience at times – but it is Lyon’s story, not ours. It is a specific account of one journey to diagnosis and a love letter to HRT.
Kat Lyons, Dry Season – photo: Suzi Corker
This is absolutely fine to a point, but it needs dramaturgy and direction to make it a performance worthy of the ticket price. Every element lasts a little too long.
An impressive piece delivered whilst running and star-jumping on the spot just tips over into discomfort for everyone, a depiction of insomnia strays into loop-pedalled self-indulgence and the final section of silent moisturising is a nice nod to the title of the show, but over-states its point.
Kat Lyons, Dry Season – photo: Suzi Corker
Kat Lyons makes immediate contact with the audience, and their likeability makes up for their lack of controlled energy in performance. I am not surprised their writing has brought them acclaim, and I expect to hear more of them during their tenure as Bristol City Poet (2022-24).
But if they want to tour another show like this, I hope they invite an experienced director to inject pace and moments of emotional punch for the audience, to match those Lyons has clearly taken themselves.
Find out more about Dry Season at www.katlyons.co.uk, and follow Kat Lyons @wordsandweeds.
Main photo: Suzi Corker
Read more: New Bristol City Poet takes on the premature menopause
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