Saudade Onions: Live Readings of a Stranger’s Diary - West Kester

“I just want to love myself!” screams West Kester at a particularly vulnerable moment of their nostalgia-laced confessional, “Saudade Onions: Live Reading of a Stranger’s Diary”. One-person shows like this are a staple at Fringe, but this one stands out for its raw and authentic dissection of the artist’s mind.

West takes us through diary entries that span back to their childhood. Touching on specific, yet incredibly relatable topics that are all at once hilarious, embarrassing, and heart-breaking. Though the structure of the material could use some fine-tuning, the overly self-aware diary entries are charming and quite beautifully written. Kester has a candid and strong stage presence, and skillfully sprinkles comedic relief through the darker moments - making this one of the most endearing performances I have seen at this year’s festival.