**** 4 STARS ****
“One… Two… Three… Four… Did I turn the oven off?” A laughter filled opening that all can relate to, quickly turning into a hitting statement around living with OCD. Gobbess is a show looking at the issues of being a woman in society, internal and external body perception and internalised homophobia among many issues showcased within this amalgamation of spoken word and circus spectacular.
An act of physical stamina, Wood explores autobiographical points in her life with joy and rage, queerness and love. An aerial hoop, decorated as if in an abstract fairy-tale circus, stands tall in the centre of the stage, intermittently adorned with acts of intricate physicality from the artist. The combination of the body’s performance and the spectacle of the stage design creates a truly unique yet stunningly beautiful world that the audience are transported to.
Wood’s spoken word could be described as an act of creative mastery. The poeticism of the text explores the details of and position as a woman through the lenses of healthcare, sexuality and mental health, making observations and comments on the criticisms given by external societal factors. The text is delivered with a true connection to the audience, ensuring each member can access some of the concepts by encouraging laughter and expression away from traditional theatre etiquette.
Gobbess is a piece of modern, creative fringe theatre which can be interpreted by the observers and enjoyed by the many. As an artist on the circuit, Naomi Wood is certainly one to look out for and her development should definitely be seen and celebrated.
To see more from Naomi Wood, follow her on Instagram.
Harley Keasey 
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