Have you ever felt different? Like you don’t fit in? That something is wrong with you?

Das Clarks, with their sterling performer, DAR, take a deep dive into these thoughts and feelings, looking at identity and belonging. By looking at DAR’s life, we see their transition through it and where these questions rose, what they did about it and how they accepted truth.

In the standard Clarks way, this performance has every element of intimacy, pulses of high energy, physical theatre and also gentleness. We are welcomed to the space, a space full of items that represent DAR, to include A LOT of pigeon items (one of my fav). DAR meets with each of us as an old friend, welcoming us and interacting very informally. We are being welcomed into a safe space and our respect in this is paramount to allow the performance to go ahead.

DAR takes us through their life, from items around the room and their meaning, to short stories they have written at poignant parts of life. We see them as they recount their passions and loves which is entirely heartwarming, to the funny and also heart breaking times of trying to fit in as a neurodiverse queer person. While unique to DAR, this is a story many can relate to and resonates deeply.

Audience participation is key and expected, but there is a level of respect and consent in this and it feels warm and inviting. We discuss labels – the good, the bad, the ugly and what they mean. DAR has this very positive approach and so words we would think of negatively, they have a positive spin – it’s an inspiring approach and we take this with gusto.

Then comes the pockets of physicality or level changing, from physical theatre pieces to DAR’s favourite music, spoken word at a fast pace at the mic or a moment of playing the bass. This heightens the performance in theatricality and breaks us a little from the comfortable lull we feel here in DAR’s room with them. The movements are visually stunning, with DAR clearly enjoying themselves and in the moment, pulling faces or closing their eyes to enjoy. They are representative yet abstract, making this a perfect bit of physical interlude.

As always, Das Clarks work is something of inspiration and perfection. It is quintessentially Welsh in its approach, as I always say, that Welsh theatre is something so unique, different and avant-guard. DAR is a brilliant performer and it was a pleasure to go on a journey with them, finding themselves and resonating with many.