Pigs Fly Easy Ryan | Pleasance Theatre

Pigs do not want farm. Pigs want freedom so they dressy up as flight attendant humans and sneaky-weeky onto an Easy Ryan plane. Buckle up big boy, this a one way ticket to sexy piggy sky times and this party ain’t coming down… is it?

This 18+ show was one of the New Diorama Untapped Award winners and made its debut last year at Underbelly Colgate as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 

There are moments where you see a show and you’re not quite sure what you’ve just witnessed. This is definitely one of those shows. Pigs porking in the sky was not on our bingo card this year, but here we are. 

Definitely an unforgettable experience and arguably one of the boldest and wildest fringe shows out there, Pigs Fly Easy Ryan makes an in-flight cocktail out of clowning, physical comedy and drag.

The question is, does it work? Yes it does.

The flight safety briefing at the start is a clever way of creating a safe environment by clarifying boundaries and reassuring us that everything on stage is consensual. Additionally, the audience interaction pre-show made it feel more immersive and relaxed, giving us freedom to just go with the flow of the show. 

It’s important not to get lost in the clouds with how chaotic this show can be, surprisingly it has a deeper meaning. This show uses comedy to try and help us deal with the state of the world at the moment, and give us hope. Pigs don’t just dream of lesbian sow sex, they dream of a world where they can be accepted in all of their piggy glory away from state violence and control. Where they don’t have to hide who they really are or what they want from the eyes of disapproving Daddy Plane.  

The clowning is genius and we enjoy having and participating in this game of playing pretend air hostesses.  The use of pig speak meshed with classic clowning simplicity and animalistic physicality enables their performance to generate a sense of curiosity, experimentation and play. Lou Doyle and Trevor White have mastered the craft, not to mention that their stamina is impressive.

Arguably this show is the epitome of the improv technique ‘yes and…’ The best thing to do is stop thinking and just let the show be in the pilot’s seat. Anything goes, pigs get off on danger and they look glamorous doing it.  

Throwing convention on its head and then some. Queer, unashamed and flying high on the list of strong clown shows. There may be turbulence at times, but it isn’t coming from outside the plane. 

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Madison Coby and Bex Fahey