Man or Bear at Summerhall: Response to viral TikTok video surfaces Normalisation and Rage (fringe review)

4 stars 

Man or Bear? The question has slipped into so many conversations since the viral TikTok video prompted the discussion on whether women would prefer to come across a man or a bear in the woods. The answer? Terrifyingly and unsurprisingly unanimous. Bring it on, Bear. Right? 

In this inspired performance by Katie Hurley and Sarah Hehir in association with Croydonites, we’re introduced to three generations of women who find themselves thrust into the middle of the metaphorical forest, each with one bear to run from while desperately navigating the slippery branches that stand in their way to safety.

Safety is exactly what Paige is looking for, as she finds refuge for herself and her teen daughter Angel renting a flat with Connie, an uncommonly nice landlady. 

Connie, backed up by the beautiful, joyful energy of Lesley Ewen, is honestly just trying to enjoy life amidst her husband’s passing and a hope of new love. But as it happens, certain love is still not deemed appropriate by some churchgoers, specifically one man. Connie is sitting next to Paige brought to life by Katie Hurley whose sombre performance is clearly rooted in extensive research. Paige ran away from a ‘good man’ Sam (sorry, all Sams), who, she will tell us, was good, especially to her daughter, Angel. But Angel has other worries on her mind. Her new classmate has done something bad, and he doesn’t want her to say anything. But she will, in a powerful monologue that Amaia Naima Aguinaga delivers with a truthful rage only a woman can understand. 

These three stories are so perfectly interwoven into one smoothly running show, the audience might not realise when the hour has passed. Talking directly to the audience with good, swift movements across the stage, Man or Bear blends the perfect mix of physical and slightly experimental with contemporary storytelling. The three performers bring life to their characters so naturally, you could easily forget you’re not in a kitchen talking to a friend.

In between storylines, we’re reminded of the bear – the cute little bear, the funny dancing bear, the big ‘my boyfriend won it at the arcades’ bear, handed to women with affection. As I watched women accept with smiles, my thoughts spiralled. So, wait? Is the bear the actual bear that we now love because that’s the one we want to see in the woods? Or is the bear suddenly so cute because we know what to expect from its nature? In that case, is the bear the metaphor for man’s anger and they’re actually the same? My guess is, the symbol will mean something different to everyone, and it might be right. 

Then, I feel anger. And I realise I’m missing that rage that’s on the stage . Where this greatly crafted story falls a little flat in its portrayal of a universal bad man. Maybe the same repetitive threats and behaviours we’ve heard, experienced, read about have become so common, they feel dangerously normalised. 

With lights on and a quick look at the overwhelmingly female audience, I wonder – is it time for us women to force the men out of the woods and leave the poor bear alone?

Man or Bear is running during Edinburgh Fringe until 30th August at Summerhall, Red Lecture Theatre