Electrifying synths, beats and casual choreography generate Stuart Saint’s resplendent testimonial gig, where Misfit and Warrior collide. His autobiographical story of HIV and Cancer manifest a domino effect of destruction, leaving survivor-in-crisis Stuart rescuing his mortality.
On world Aids Day 2017, Stuart Saint posted a video declaring his HIV positive status, which quickly went viral. Unwittingly, he soon found himself inundated with messages from people in similar circumstances thanking him for his honesty and bravery. Shortly after his diagnosis, his HIV led to aggressive cancer, and his life-saving chemotherapy treatment culminated in causing a life-long chronic illness. Through the turmoil of these huge, life-changing circumstances, Saint found himself battling with financial difficulties, body issues, depression and suicidal thoughts. Yet, against all the odds, Saint has come out stronger, braver and more hopeful about what lies ahead.
Influenced by Fosse, Misfit Warrior presents an evocative, queer gig inspired by Soft Cell, Fischerspooner, Depeche Mode and Bowie. It is 50 minutes of hard hitting storytelling, with great music and fab backing by Kieran McIntosh and Kimberley Ensor. Despite the serious context of the piece, Stuart Saint still manages to create some laugh out loud moments.
Stuart Saint‘s autobiographical story, Misfit Warrior, isn’t an easy show to watch. It’s not light and fluffy, it’s raw and emotional and totally inspiring. It is clear from the performance that this is a story Stuart still finds it difficult to talk about but it is an important one to be told and more importantly a story that needs to be heard. The show is still working out exactly what it wants to be but I don’t think this will be the last we see of it.
Reviewed by West End Wilma
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