Review by Jo Tomalin
For All Events
The Dan Daw Show
The large marquee on stage with the title The Dan Daw Show in large letters across it is a dramatic visual. Dan Daw enters and talks to us for the first few minutes to tell us what we are about to see and why. There are some disclaimers from him and a clear admission that he is in full approval at what we are about to see and that this is how he wants to be seen. Daw introduces himself as “a 41 year old crip” and that we are in safe hands! Dan’s wry humour is apparent from the start and continues with quips and questions for us in between the physical sequences! Presented by the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2025 at The Lyceum Theatre, The Dan Show is performed by collaborators Dan Daw and Christopher Owen, and directed by Mark Maughan.
Daw and Owen talk back and forth as they perform together, make suggestions about physical movements and challenges that go deep into the core. Daw is very interested in kink and both of them work through kink experiences as they perform them on each other. Daw listed some of the kink we would see in the opening speech and after some physical stretches and general limbering up together Owen directs Daw in a quiet but assertive voice and Daw follows. They quickly set up ground rules and we are away. They are tactile with each other, playful and serious at the same time. Tattoos, torsos and body language mix together as they roll across the stage in one section – they could be brothers! Daw says that Owen is his best friend and he trusts him completely, which is very meaningful and important. Daw is realistic and prefers to focus on what he can do rather than what he can’t do and shares he how enjoys the pleasure he gets from kink experiences. In an experiment Daw is is a box with only his head showing while Owen depletes the air and Daw’s limbs and muscles are tight against the black material until Daw winces and Owen allows the air to enter the box and release Daw’s body. Throughout the show they engage in contorting around each other, thrashing, spit balls, and movement akin to wrestling. There are wonderful tender moments – after jostling around – when they cradle each other in quiet moments. It’s fascinating, sexy, on the edge, yet they are respectful of each other and while Daw’s limits are challenged, Daw is in charge of his own body and they break free on uttering a safe word or short phrase.
This is an intriguing and moving show that explores the body, sexuality, identity and trust. Highly Recommended!
4 Stars!
Originally from England Jo Tomalin is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she is a reviewer for Dance & Theatre at www.ForAllEvents.com and works in the performing arts as a freelance movement specialist, director + actor. She is also a Professor of theatre performance in the School of Theatre & Dance at San Francisco State University, teaching Movement and Voice for actors, Storytelling and Acting.
Jo Tomalin studied Classical Ballet for 12 years. She graduated from London University’s Laban Centre teaching credential program in Modern Dance, Art of Movement & Choreography, then she trained in Physical Theatre, Masks, and Devised theatre at the renowned professional acting school “Ecole Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq” Paris, France. Jo studied Classical Acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London; and holds an A.T.C.L. in Voice and Acting from Trinity College of Dramatic Art, London, and a PH.D. in Education from Capella University, MN, USA.
