Transmission ★★★☆☆

Transmission - Hope Over Fear ★★★☆☆

Transmission is an ambitious, accessible and politically charged piece of queer theatre that places trans rights firmly within a distinctly Scottish context. At its heart is a message of hope over fear, while confronting the increasingly hostile rhetoric surrounding trans and gender-diverse people.

The production’s sound and visual elements are particularly strong, and accessibility is embedded into the performance rather than treated as an afterthought. Presented as a relaxed performance, it considers both visible and invisible access needs, with wheelchair accessibility and British Sign Language (BSL) incorporated throughout. Particularly effective is the way BSL becomes part of the comedy itself, demonstrating that accessibility can contribute creatively to a production rather than simply accompany it.

Politically, Transmission has plenty to say. Scottish independence, Nicola Sturgeon, trans rights and contemporary debates around gender all enter the conversation, alongside the broader mistreatment of trans people internationally. There are numerous Edinburgh, Glasgow and specifically Scottish references; some may pass over the heads of international Fringe audiences, but there is enough universality in the central argument for the piece to remain accessible.

The production also invokes the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson and the long history of queer people refusing to quietly accept their rights being taken away. Its rallying cry is clear: when gender rights are under attack, people need to stand up and fight back.

At times, that material becomes uncomfortably familiar. For queer and trans audiences especially, hearing some of the rhetoric that has dominated headlines repeated onstage can feel raw precisely because it isn’t distant history. The production makes an important point: queer people should not have to legitimise themselves or continually prove who they are, and that applies equally to gender identity and expression.

Where Transmission currently falls short is in its overall cohesion. There is a strong premise here and several genuinely powerful moments, but the production can feel disjointed, with sections considerably stronger than others. A little more dramaturgical tightening and polish would allow its ideas to connect more effectively and give its strongest moments greater impact.

There is an important show inside Transmission. It is passionate, inclusive and unapologetically political, with accessibility built impressively into its theatrical language. With further refinement, it has the foundations to become something considerably stronger.

★★★☆☆ — Three stars