Long providing a space for theater that emphasizes science fiction, fantasy and other forms of alternative story-telling, it is not surprising that Otherworld Theatre Company is currently offering up a LGBTQ+-inspired quest epic for Pride Month this year. Natalie Zutter’s Garters: A Queer Immersive Romantasy Play is full of adventurous escapes, hastily adopted disguises and ghostly battles, all delivered upon a delicious feminist platform.
Here, the legendary imprint of Lady Clotilda (Chloe Basset), the first female knight, still holds a small kingdom in its sway. Inspired to follow in her footsteps. the fortunes of Yvain (Kira Nutter) and Hedy (Jenny Hoppes), two young friends, end in incredibly different spheres. Yvain achieves fame as a royal warrior while Hedy ends up working in a velvet strewn brothel.
Years later, the two encounter each other again as Yvain makes a desperate journey to help their friend Varic, the soon-to-be king. Convinced the indecisive Varic (Jerome Michael Jones) needs assistance, the passionate adventurer seeks one of Clotilda’s famous gems to aid in his ruling. By withholding necessary information, Hedy gets Yvain to agree to take her along, eventually proving to be a worthy companion. Despite her often mysterious actions, she proves essential to Yvain as they encounter a sordid innkeeper (Bruce Holtman), a fight-ready laundress (Chloe Basset) and a ruthless bandit (Quinton Walker).
Production wise, director Blake Hood wisely allows Sam Campos’ fight choreography to shine here, with Basset proving a mighty resource to the propulsive action set forth. Her mystical Clotilda is fierce and powerful, a worthy counterpoint to Nutter’s Yvain and Hoppes’s Hedy. Together, Nutter and Hoppes compassionately explore Zutter’s important themes. Hoppes gives proud voice to her defiantly unapologetic sex worker, while Nutter explores Yvain’s determination to live, proudly, as a nonbinary individual with sensitivity and grace.
Parrish Davis-Sauls’ vibrant costumes and Tiffany Keane Schaefer’s nature-based set also help make this show a memorable journey for all, despite some ill-at-ease performances from the supporting cast. Their Internalized hesitancy definitely diminishes some of the energetic rhythm of the plot. Still, this show, which is sure to have many future variations, is an incredibly enjoyable, extremely necessary view. Once the ensemble finds its purpose together, it may even become an unparalleled delight.
Garters runs through July 7th at Otherworld Theatre Company, 3914 N. Clark. More information is available at www.otherworldtheatre.org.