Thank you

EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL

For awarding POOF!

the 2023 Broadway World

“BOBBY” Award!

“Celeste enters through the wild gardens of the glen as a ferry, both as a real (i.e. magic) fairy and, well, a real fairy (what they used to call gays). In the most imaginative of monologues, with uncanny puck and razor sharp wit, Celeste weaves the legend of fairies and their magical ability to survive with the world history of repression, culminating with a contemplation of the earth on the environmental edge today. In an amazingly spiritual stream of consciousness - Celeste’s language is rhapsodic – “Poof”emerges finally as a prayer for the future. Amen. “Poof!” is theater as pure as it should always be.”

The Berkshire Edge Newspaper

“Among the most talented solo performers of his (or any) generation. “

The New York Times

“Poof! may be the loveliest hour of your life.”

Kate Copstick @Broadwayworld.com

From The Fringe Review:

There is wonder here in Edinburgh, and it is being ignored. There is beauty and there is fun and there is the kind of hour that, in the words of one of my favourite films "reaches in and puts a string of coloured lights round your heart". It has been 22 years since I sat in a Fringe audience and felt what I felt here today. This is the kind of writing, and performing, and skill and joy and passion that, in this combative, destructive world, we almost never have the privilege to experience.

We are, says our fairy friend, “all in the process of becoming”.

This spell-binding hour is an other-worldly allegory which, while as seemingly light and delicate as gossamer lace, carries the stories and the hopes of all those who have never felt free to 'become' much less come out to be acknowledged and, even, loved.

It might look fey, it might look simplistic, it might look even ridiculous, but it is the kind of hour that can change your world, given a chance.

In a time when it seems that the best we can do is shout, and hate, and tweet, and threaten, when we are all about divisions, binary 'you are either for me or against me' divisions, this hour should be seen everywhere. Everywhere.

I have always thought of theatre, any theatre, as just make-believe, sometimes aggrandised by set and costumes and whatever else it takes.

More important to those who do it than those who see it. Celeste Lecesne creates a magic bubble, that, in the hour, holds the whole audience, but, given the opportunity, could hold the world. It won't. But they are starting. As they pop backwards and forwards through the fourth wall, Celeste makes you believe you can become.

Go. Just go. Celeste Lecesne has all the stars I never gave, and the red pencil to make them matter the right way. Poof! may be the loveliest hour of your life.

Authentic, powerful, modest and lacking the brashness of many similar productions of the same theme, this combines subtlety with a strong and dynamic message. It’s beautifully crafted and makes itself reach you through a polished and exceptional performer.

If not already an ally, the allegorical nature of the story of the Fairies being told has you powerfully in its grip. It is gentile and gentle, but also speaks of an authenticity which reminds us that truth does not always need volume.

But a story or a message for the masses can get lost in its telling and our guide has the ability to tell the tale with tone and pitch in mind, phrasing and delivery crafted in his grasp as the performance shows how to begin a story, develop character and narrative and then deliver it in a truly communicative and expressive manner. Beautiful. Whilst Lecesne makes us feel that we truly are the first to see it, it is clearly a show which has developed over time. It shows a depth of rehearsal which is great.

It has been directed with panache, the structure is balanced and poised and the theatrical effects – aside from the costumes – were simple and effective – I am keeping my pencil as a prop to wish bad things way. As our fairy stripped, it was to an appropriate level of undergarments and when turned into the spinster/ lesbian what was done was physically done with such craft.

Kate Coptick in BroadwayWorld.com