When people talk about intersectionality, they are not usually thinking of a crossover between mental illness, physical illness, gender identity and sexuality. In Hayley Edwards’ debut one-person play, they explore all this and more, facing the shitty stuff and learning how to advocate for themself in the process.
Have you ever pretended to a new partner that you just. don’t. shit? For how long? Shitbag managed to keep it going through an entire relationship, going home to do their business, and not even farting in front of the ex. Now they are having great sex with a blue tick from Twitter, but still having to sneak out to go to the toilet. Something that is becoming increasingly challenging now they have digestive problems.
Hayley Edwards’ Shitbag is witty and relatable from the first, engaging the audience with ease and building a rapport. They describe the reality for genderqueer and AFAB people engaging with the medical establishment, and the need to speak up and stand your ground, or else risk having a serious health issue overlooked. Edwards’ character is finally diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, a chronic condition that could lead to them needing an ostomy – a literal shit bag. It may only be a 1 in 10 chance, but just in case they decide to have sex with as many people as they can while they are still the “youngest, hottest person in the gastroenterology ward”.
The subject matter is darkly comic, and Edwards manages the transitions and overlaps with skill and self-deprecating humour. They allude to a stigmatised mental health diagnosis that caused them to be hospitalised in the past, wryly pointing out that – even when talking about things falling out of their anus – it is still easier to talk about a physical condition than to expose a psychiatric one.
Edwards is a self-aware, likeable performer, and the story is certainly autobiographical in nature (though care has been taken to anonymise their sexual partners and other key figures). To a British audience, the fact that Shitbag has to pay ninety Australian dollars for every stool sample was shocking – albeit less so for the Americans present – despite a chronic condition. Using this platform to tell an entertaining, deeply personal story while also raising awareness about Crohns and other inflammatory bowel diseases is highly commendable.
There are elements of this piece, from the frank references to gender dysphoria to some feelings of relief at being diagnosed, that are rarely said out loud, and having them bared in this intimate space is at once powerful and deeply vulnerable. This is the kind of piece that touches audience members who connect with topics they have rarely seen on stage, and Edwards dealt with some over-enthusiastic participation like a true pro, giving space while not ceding their own.
By Deborah Klayman
Shitbag plays at Summerhall, Edinburgh until 25th August 2025.
Leave a Reply