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“This is my second time watching it. I couldn’t stop thinking about it the first time so I came back to watch it again,” says a girl in the bathroom, waiting for the start of Tight Theatre’s PUSSY. After 45 minutes of intense physical theatre, I too came again the next day. Partly because I couldn’t properly digest its absurdity the first time, but mostly because it left me reeling. A fascinating production that is truly liberating, PUSSY is a gem of free theatre.

As the nymph–like girls waft on stage they break their siren trance with spiraling vulgarity. Caricatured dolls, they gyrate and convulse on stage, masturbating. It is a repulsive satire of societies restraints on women. Smearing their faces with lipstick the girls move in perfectly synchronized form. Careful choreography saves it from being a shallow, let’s cover ourselves in mud and pretend its meaningful, shock-value piece. PUSSY has been thought about and practiced relentlessly – the effect is brilliantly profane.

PUSSY has nothing particularly groundbreaking to say about social pressures that befall women; its impact is in its practice. The sight of a women miming masturbation, and young girls trying to look as grotesque as possible is enough to make many in the theatre feel immensely uncomfortable. Their obvious discomfort speaks more about repression than the piece could; its impact and purpose is drawn out on every single face in the room, rather than convoluted in unnecessary dialogue. PUSSY may style itself as a comedy; but its impact, and the gazes from the actresses, is far more haunting. All involved deserve immense credit, a physically and mentally demanding piece, they pull it off admirably.

The girls take it in turns to recite lines in monotone, as the other stand around thoroughly unamused. When the obviously absurd lyrics about catering to men’s wants and desires turn out to be a Destiny’s Child song, the effect is horrifying. What is really more insane, the writhing creatures on stage, or a society naively obsessed with preconceived notions? A deeply audience specific piece ( you can practically smell the student discount in the room). PUSSY should be seen by everyone. It destroys and spits on boundaries, in the most brilliantly vulgar way.

PUSSY will be playing until 19 August for free at Laughing Horse, The Counting House (Venue 170), as part of Edinburgh Fringe Festival. For more information, visit the Fringe website.