Snail Trail starring Bi-Curious George (who we were able to interview a few years ago on our YouTube channel, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/9rRpTf4GlY4) is a unique exploration of the world of snails, intertwined with a powerful message about transmasculinity. Alternating between fascinating snail facts and heartfelt real-life experiences, the lovable and charming Bi-Curious George leads the audience through a joyous yet moving cabaret-style performance, complete with musical numbers, snail-inspired acting and even a gorgeous shell! The show is jam-packed with queer joy and is an important reminder for anyone with a body that has ever felt like a “pest” or unwanted that everyone deserves a place in life!
As you would expect from a show with this title, Snail Trail is a one-person production that sees George take on the form of a unique snail-like hybrid, complete with a gorgeous shell (which he cleverly refers to as Michelle, which did make me giggle throughout). This is not just a striking visual to get the audience into the seats of Below at Pleasance Courtyard, but also a key part of the show and its message throughout. This loveable and approachable host is first introduced to the crowd in a brilliant slow-motion walkout, which was not only hilarious but also made sense, as these gastropods are famous for their slow movement. The show itself contains a scattering of fun and interesting facts about snails throughout, including the fact that they are hermaphrodites (an obvious nod to how the gender binary is simply a man-made concept), the reason why snails secrete a slimy trail of mucus while travelling along the world and, most surprisingly, the mating rituals of snails. This is something I have never even thought about or knew anything about, which injects a perfect sense of education into the show itself.
In stereotypical British drag style, Snail Trail takes the form of an educational cabaret show, with George showcasing the breadth of his theatrical talents as he takes every opportunity to show just how talented he truly is. The show contains a series of wonderful musical numbers, with George showcasing his brilliant musical stylings and vocals, character-based jokes and gags, including an insanely hilarious moment where he begins eating an on-stage lettuce, and a wonderful scattering of audience participation that brings the crowd into the heart of the story and adds a sense of immersiveness to the show. This further emphasises the message that we all need to come together to create a space where everyone feels welcomed. At multiple points in the show, George comes out of his shell (both physically and metaphorically) to talk directly to the audience, where he highlights some of the more intense and political messages surrounding the issues transgender people face in our supposedly modern world. This not only really amplifies the striking nature of these ‘attacks’ but also shows the audience that underneath all the theatrics and extravagance, we are simply all humans looking for human connection and acceptance. A show that promotes unity and community is obviously always important and can only have a positive effect on anyone in the audience going through similar circumstances, but this is important now more than ever with the increase in hatred being seen in everyday life! Despite being a show about one of the slowest-moving creatures to ever exist, Snail Trail maintains a high-energy, fast-moving pace, with flawless transitions from the aforementioned character-driven, snail-centric moments to the intensely gripping messages and fantastic musical numbers, helping the crowd easily follow along at every single moment of the show. This helps ensure the audience are constantly engaged and focused, making for a very enjoyable show to watch.
In conclusion, Snail Trail by Bi-Curious George is a unique, cabaret-inspired, character-driven show exploring the importance of belonging and togetherness, which is very important now more than ever! The script itself is written in such an insanely clever way, using the vehicle of a snail-obsessed lead character, George, to highlight the importance of advocating for transgender rights, with references to strange gels, being perceived as a “pest” at times and not fitting into society as a whole. This is an absolutely outlandish comparison that is moulded in such a genius way as to make perfect sense! I would rate this show 5 out of 5 stars!
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