Rough Trade – REVIEW
Image: Rough Trade by Katie Pollock. Photo: Teniola Komolafe
In her opening lines, Katie Pollock immediately addresses the possible misconception audience members may have about the nature of her one-woman show. Yes, “rough trade” is a term used by gay men to describe casual sex partners who display a grungy aesthetic. And yes, the blurb for the show does mention dildos. But Pollock’s Rough Trade does not include strong sex scenes, graphic descriptions or nudity, although it does have adult themes.
The Rough Trade in Pollock’s one-hour long monologue is the name of a Facebook group in which members post items or activities they’d be willing to exchange for some other specified item or activity. The site does not allow use of legal-tender, vouchers, tokens or any currency that is fungible in any way.
It doesn’t sound like much of a premise for a play, let alone a one-woman, no-frills, hour long soliloquy, but therein is the cleverness of the writing. Pollock shares her experiences trading and watching trades on the Facebook site. Many are comical – the dildos we were promised get a mention here, along with tools, clothing, stationery, food, chores, and lemons, always lemons.
Some are inventive, some practical…and some are quite poignant. Personal items, jewellery, childhood memorabilia, ageing, evidence of a life. This is really what Pollock is here to talk about. Interspersed with the lists of odd swaps are Pollock’s own stories of love, violence, loneliness, tragedy.
Through the micro-economy of the Rough Trade group, Pollock shines a stark light on the value society places on material items, the functions of a capitalist economy, the enduring dominance of a patriarchy.
At times absurd and hilarious, at other times infuriating and then heart-rending, Pollock’s evenly- paced monologue frequently catches you off-guard.
With little in the way of theatrical effects and just a few cardboard boxes and small props on stage, Pollock is able to hold the audience in her thrall.
Rough Trade is a key-hole into hidden worlds, some innocuous, some fascinating, some egregiously unfair.
