Few fringe trajectories have been as joyful to trace these last few years as that of Natalie Palamides. From best newcomer in 2017 via the terrific cross-dressing comedy Nate (which graduated to Netflix) and beyond, any new show from this outrageously bold LA clown is now a must-see event. And say what you like about Weer, which builds on the 34-year-old’s record in gender-splicing comedy, but on that thrill of anticipation it does not underdeliver.
Laying siege to the Traverse main stage for 75 minutes plus, this is a hot mess of a clown romcom in which Palamides plays both parties in a three-year relationship. The twist: Mark is played by one half of her body, Christina by the other. She faces stage left: plaid-shirted Mark begs Christina to stay at a New Year’s Eve party in the woods. She pivots stage right: dressed-up Christina tearily accuses Mark of flirting with other girls. Christina leaves, there’s an accident, then the show flashes back to recount the romance so far.
