REVIEW: Relay - Laughter and Love

©️ Relay, Photo by Chillee Noir

Following a sell-out debut hour Composition, writer and multi-disciplinary rebel Leila Navabi returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with her sophomore show, Relay. With sharp wit and tender sincerity, she dives into the rollercoaster of trying to have a baby at home with her partner, a best mate as the sperm donor, and, naturally, his boyfriend cheering from the sidelines.

Punchlines land frequently, and Leila effortlessly connects her life with her comedy - weaving in identities as a comedian, a queer woman, and a woman of colour. An animated video introduces the process and experiences of queer family-making, blending humour with gentle education. Characters from her story even appear as comic style cut outs on stage, a playful and inventive touch. Beneath the challenging journey of conception lies the importance of friendship, encouragement between partners, and, in the end, a “godlike” twist: a set of real-life photos that bring a deeply touching warmth. At moments, Leila seemed affected by audiences who were less responsive, though her energy and openness kept the room engaged.

Songs and animations carry the rhythm of the piece. The animations are impressively crafted, balancing humour and informative clarity. The only technical weakness lay in the sound: excessively loud levels without dynamic control made it uncomfortable. With better audio balancing, the shouted moments could retain their expressive force without overwhelming the audience, and even enhance the atmosphere. Under the well-designed system, compare to other fringe venues, in the space, this should be achievable.

Overall, Relay won over not only audiences already enthusiastic about queer stories but also those less familiar with queer family life, offering them a heartfelt introduction. Passion, struggle, and warmth, isn’t that a mirror of life itself?

★★★★

For more infomation, please visit: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/relay. Follow for more: https://www.instagram.com/leiladoesinsta/

Credits:

Performed and Created by: Leila Navabi
Director: Elan Isaac
Designer & Animation: Elliot Ditton
Produced by: TEAM Collective Cymru