Review: Chokeslam (Assembly George Square)

A love of wrestling and a wrestle with love

The lights go down, the iconic “Undertaker” theme begins to chime, and around thirty audience members in a shipping contain cheer as a cloaked figure emerges from the shadows. If you didn’t know that Chokeslam was about wrestling, that introduction would take you right to the heart of a WWE match. Comedian Tegan Verheul’s one-woman autobiographical show is all about her love of pro wrestling, and the relationship that introduced it to her. If you think wrestling isn’t for you, boy is Verheul keen to prove you wrong.

We are treated to lessons in lingo, lengthy explanations of lore and the different eras, and blow-by-blow accounts of some of her favourite matches. One would think this would be boring, but Verheul’s writing has a real spark. Like any good storyteller, she only tells you enough to keep you listening for more. All the wrestling talk is entertaining in its own right, but it covers up a dreaded topic that keeps creeping in – her failed marriage. Her anecdotes do not cover her in glory, but give us an insight into where things went wrong. It is clever when her own story parallels the history lessons, but it is just as clever when those parallels break down, and she is left with no choice but to say out loud in simple language what she did and how she feels about it.

That juxtaposition would only work with a strong, energetic performance. This is theatre, but Verheul knows what to carry over from her comedy career to make the performance click. She prioritises story over jokes without losing her winning charisma and fun-loving persona. She praises her ex for getting her into wrestling, for showing her the value of athletic theatre and showmanship, but she doesn't give herself enough credit. If there were a competition for getting someone excited about wrestling, I have no doubt Verheul would lift that diamond-studded belt high. Four stars.

Whispers from the Crowd: "Wonderfully engaging and honest show about understanding yourself through the medium of something you love. I do the same with the Sopranos."

Chokeslam will play at Assembly George Square at 17:50 until August 26th

Photo Credit: Ching Huang