Linus Karp Was Hit With An Umbrella

Review by Rebecca

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What happens when you’re somewhere you feel safe with someone you love, and are suddenly made to feel defenceless but unsure how to process it? Well that is precisely what happened to Linus Karp in 2024 when they fell victim to a hate crime in which they were injured in an unprovoked attack in Soho, London.

Before this day, Linus never thought that something like this could happen, but it did. And the ripple effects of pain, fear, post traumatic stress disorder, and overall understanding of the frighteningly high chances of queer-phobic attacks caused spirals in their life and mental health. However, it also led to the creation of an extremely powerful, cathartic and explorative piece of theatre.

In a brave, bold and detailed performance by Karp, we are told the events of that fateful day and what followed it, using a combination of real emergency service recordings and social media comments read throughout by audience members. Karp is skilfully able to remain brutally honest and open, with raw emotion on full display, without losing the spark, sassiness and humour that they have became associated with, following their other huge fringe hits such as Gwyneth Goes Skiing.

In this deeply personal tale, we are given a glimpse into the personal life of Linus, their upbringing, and their relationship with long term collaborator and husband, Joseph. This window into their lives makes this story even more compelling, truthful and ultimately more beautiful as we learn how a harrowing event has led them down new paths to celebrating their own love.