Fat Chance

April 27, 2024

8^thMarch-27^th April 2024

Writer and actor Rachel Stockdale describes herself as a “fat, benefit class Actor and Theatre-maker from Middlesbrough”. Very humble, agreed, and her trademark for this show, but these are not the words I would choose when describing her. She deserves more than this. Stockdale trained at National Youth Theatre, Northumbria University and ALRA North. She boasts an impressive CV including being selected as a BBC Development Fund Comedy Creative 2023, and the voice of Newcastle United on TNT Sports!

Fat Chance has been touring the UK throughout March and April this year, having previewed at Live Theatre in Newcastle and achieving a successful run at Edinburgh Fringe in 2022. The show has received rave reviews already, so I was interested to see if it would live up to my expectations.

For anyone who has ever struggled with weight-gain, you will undoubtedly recognise much of the show’s content. Even if you haven’t, you will certainly be taken on a journey of empathy, and probably rage too. Produced by Chloe Stott and directed by Jonluke McKie, Fat Chance explores prejudices, rejection, frustration and life’s stereotypical expectations.

“…you will certainly be taken on a journey of empathy, and probably rage too.”

The show opens with Stockdale making her entrance wearing black underwear, chains and fishnet tights. Confident in her moves, she is not afraid to lay herself bare – and why should she be? Being told she is ‘brave’ when she dares to wear swimwear on the beach – why is this brave? It’s just her!

The set comprises a single red sofa, TV screen, wedding dress (which comes to light later in the show with a poignant struggle to fit into it), and a standard lamp. We meet her trying to decide what to wear for the evening. “Why do we have a meltdown before big events if we are so happy with ourselves?” We are taken into her world of constant comments, criticism and rejection alongside being told she is beautiful, at the same time as being congratulated on the slightest bit of weight loss. Phew. This is exhausting. For her.

Stockdale reclaims the word ‘fat’. It’s her word, she wants to use it, and there is no, and should not be any, shame. The shame comes from other people. Comments such as “If you’re unhappy just lose weight”, or “ Northern, female and fat – you can only be two of those in this industry”, are common occurrences.

The show is a mix of monologues, original songs and dialogue between herself and, well, herself in video format on the screen behind her. She also has a relationship with a black standard lamp on the left of the set, that we discover later to be her husband ‘Smelly’. Sadly, Smelly’s audio was almost inaudible at times – the recording was muffled and Middlesbrough accent so strong we lost half of the words. Was it supposed to be like this? It was unclear.

We were presented with facts about obesity, health and dieting, some of which were surprising. It will certainly address some prejudices out there and perhaps change a few attitudes.

The show is touching, and you are left feeling angry on her behalf, however, she glosses over some very important subjects such as loss of a loved one and sexual abuse which could have definitely been explored more to greater impact.

It was mostly a light-touch show, with some deeper moments, however with such an important subject we could have focussed more on the serious matters in-hand, and had fewer costume changes and songs. It was heartfelt, and I was entertained throughout, but it has more potential. Stockdale is an endearing performer, and certainly talented. I have no doubt she will go far, with the right direction.