Emily is a woman in denial. She tells herself that she’s happy enough as things are, that she can reject these feelings of gender dysphoria, and that she can keep her innate desire to transition repressed … until she can’t.

As Emily comes to accept she is a transgender woman, it dawns on her that coming out is not a one-time deal. It’s something she must do again, and again, and again through different areas of her life.

There’s no guarantee her family will accept her. No formula for coming out amongst workplace transphobia. No perfect way to navigate her new world of dating as a trans woman. All Emily knows is that she doesn’t want to end up unloved, unwanted, and jobless.

However, the more time she takes, the greater the strain she puts on her closest friendship. All she wants is for the people in her life to call her ‘Emily’, but expressing that wish risks the world turning its back on her.

Spit It Out is the new play written by Alice K Stephens and directed by Jamie Coenen, with Isobel Sheard co-directing. The play stars trans actress Willow MacDonald (PECS, 11 Miles) as Emily. Robyn Faye (Les Enfant Terribles) and Isobel Sheard (The S is Silent) accompany MacDonald to play a cascade of characters who complicate Emily's coming out.

See the new play which celebrates trans-led narratives, took the 2024 Pinch of Vault festival by storm, and was loved by Brighton Fringe audiences at the King’s Head Theatre on the 13th, 14th, and 15th September.