Family-related one-person storytelling / queer confessional shows are a staple of fringe festivals, but Yoz Mensch’s My Grandpa Doesn’t Follow Me on Instagram at Underbelly Cowgate (Jelly Belly) calls those shows out for being elevated highlight reels and demonstrates that even the tedious and unresolved time with our loved ones has a vital narrative place.
Superficially, the plot follows Yoz on a road trip with their grandfather, ‘Pa’, through the Scottish Highlands to see where their grandmother, ‘Ma’ or ‘Joy’, had her ashes scattered. While it is never fully explained why Joy chose this area, there’s an implied sense of belonging. Pa is a stubborn Australian ‘old bloke’ who prefers to sit with a pint than walk around towns or hills or gardens, but Yoz is full of verve about the history and hills. Along the way, Yoz asks Pa questions, embodies multiple hotel service characters, and confesses to us, the audience, via the motif of a glove box, because it is kind of like a closet.
There’s a lot that is beautifully implied in this show: life stories, personal grudges, irritating moments, frightening moments, and questions about one’s deepest inner truths. Taking a cue from Instagram, the words making up the script of this show are superficial, but situated atop deep wells of feeling that simply cannot be spoken. Yoz also covers moments where they should have said or done something different, or moments where they were awkward, or where they had poor timing. While the script is curated and edited with witty commentary, Yoz doesn’t shy away from the moments they were not at their best, because this is a story about honesty.
My Grandpa Doesn’t Follow Me on Instagram also slickly and simply integrates numerous actual Instagram reels from Yoz’s trip. We’re in Scotland now, of course, so the scenery is familiar to many, but we do get to see cheeky beers with Pa from Yoz’s point of view, shots of Pa in the courtyard of a castle looking grumpy, and a shared dessert video of Yoz and Pa sent to Yoz’s father. There are also actual voice notes of Yoz and their brother teaching each other to say ‘not bad for an old bloke’ just like Pa does. The digital media both reflect the life Yoz curated through Instagram and create a dreamlike sense of nostalgia. Rather than pointing out something directly about online culture, this digital integration rests quietly alongside the performer, just evidence of what we want others to see and hinting at what we actually want seen.
Do not miss My Grandpa Doesn’t Follow Me on Instagram at Underbelly Cowgate (Jelly Belly) this fringe to support queer coming out stories and self-discovery.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
