Jeremy McClain makes his theatre and writing debut this Fringe Festival with Rat Tails. McClain has taken inspiration from his own life to create the story of Jasper, a neurotic, gay, American model agent who is waiting in an NHS maternity ward as he tells us about he and his husband’s journey through surrogacy. Throughout the performance, Jasper tells us about his life growing-up, navigating life being “trailer-trash”, especially meeting his husband’s wealthy family, and discusses the generational trauma he fears he will pas on to their unborn and yet to be conceived child.
As we entered the space, we were led into a studio set like a GP waiting room, with chairs set in a circle. There were discarded magazines, a handbag and a teddy bear which McClain would later use in the performance. Throughout the performance, McClain would sit next to audience members and often talk to them directly. This immersed us into the character Jasper’s world while he stays in the waiting room. This interactivity added a layer of fun that made us part of the narrative journey, even before the piece started.
McClain’s script showcased a balance of comedy and introspection. McClain switches from humorously telling us about his fun-loving life as a young ‘twink’ in New York, to emotionally recounting the death of his uncle in his childhood home and the effects it had on his family. The narrative of the piece flowed naturally, making for both an engaging and cohesive narrative. There were so many moments of genuine humour mixed with poignancy and authenticity. Nothing felt forced or unbelievable, we were along for the ride the whole time. Matt McBrier and Rachel O’Regan were involved in the dramaturgy of the piece. As this is McClain’s playwright debut, McBrier and O’Regan’s influence have helped elevate the script to a next level. The talent of all people involved in this process is commendable.
In addition to the writing, McClain’s performance was absolutely brilliant! His effortless humour felt both natural and refreshing. He subtly kept eye contact with the audience whilst he paced around the room in-the-round. This technicality was powerful, it dissolved the barrier between McClain and the spectator. This connection made us feel like an integral part of the performance. The pacing also added to the confusion and uncertainty that the character Jasper felt in his mind about his future, the mistakes he made and the insecurities he had. McClain is an incredible talent and it’s great to see this talent be shown in the new form of live theatre since his performance in the TV show Pose. McClain has clearly worked hard at this role and taken direction very well.
Matt McBrier’s direction was clear and executed flawlessly. Every movement and pause was meticulously crafted to enhance the storytelling. The pacing was perfect, with each scene transitioning smoothly into the next. McBrier’s direction ensured that McClain utilised the in-the-round setting to its full potential, creating that inclusivity mentioned earlier. These two have made a great piece of work and I hope to see what they make together in the future.
Rat Tails by Jeremy McClain is a hilarious and refreshing story about navigating one’s own insecurities as well as a chain of generational trauma. McClain’s theatre and writing debut is creditable and I’m excited to see what he’ll create next. Matt McBrier has done a fantastic job of taking McClain’s story and creating an interesting and engaging performance that has audience’s taking in every word. A must-see this Fringe for sure!
Rat Tails is playing Aug 16-11, 13-18 at 17:00 @ Fruitmarket – Studio.
Theatre Scotland 
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