Fat Chance

Written & Performed by Rachel Stockdale. Directed by Jonluke McKie.

“I’m not saying I’m not beautiful. I’m saying I’m fat AND beautiful”

Meet Rachel – a 20-something actress from Boro whose funny, celebratory and politically powerful one-woman play explores her true-life experience of weight gain from size 8 to 18. From audition nerves and throwaway comments to literally breaking a leg this play is for:

Anyone who’s felt like they had to shrink themselves

Anyone who’s adapted to be more palatable to others

Anyone who’s ever put on or lost weight and been treated differently

Anyone who had free school dinners

Anyone who feels they don’t fit.

This unconventional show looks at the pitfalls of trying to have it all.

Reviews:

North East Bylines ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“On rare occasions, if you’re lucky, you get to see a theatre performer who changes the way you see the world. So it was when Rachel Stockdale held stage and audience… in Fat Chance.”

The Crack Magazine ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“I’ve never felt an audience collectively hold its breath in sheer shock and anticipation. This is raw and this is real.”

The Arts Business ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“A remarkable first production. I have no doubt she will move onto great things.”

Reviews Hub ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“Eat your heart out Jo Brand, there’s a new girl on the block and one with a message to boot.”

Lost in Theatreland ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“Fat Chance truly is a superb one-woman performance that highlights some incredibly important issues… Stockdale is a captivating storyteller, and her play is raw and honest, she’s incredibly relatable.”

London Theatre 1 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“This is an engaging and entertaining show that is so triggering and relatable that sobbing could be heard from members of the audience.”

The Wee Review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“Fat Chance is captivating, heartfelt and well worth an hour of your time.”

Broadway World ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“Fat Chance is a powerful play… It’s also a funny and warm piece of theatre with a captivating performer that evokes just the right amount of empathy and fury in the audience.”

Cultured North East ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“Told with great humour, honesty and energy, [Fat Chance] will resonate with all those who have struggled to conform to some notional ideal, especially with regard to weight.”

NARC Magazine ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“Juxtaposing sadness and laughter, Rachel’s story speaks to us all of how we look at ourselves and others, posing the question ‘Instead of trying to change you, why not try and see the beauty now?’ There is beauty in this performance. Like Rachel, let’s champion beauty and talent wherever we find them.”

“The script is well considered… taking the audience on a roller coaster ride through the life and struggles of this incredibly stubborn (her words – and I would add ‘resourceful’) young woman, working out how to succeed with a career choice that sometimes feels more like self-harm than anything else.”