Copyright © 2024 Discover. All rights reserved

All views, information or opinions expressed in Discover Brighton are solely those of individuals involved and do not represent the opinions of any entity whatsoever, including the businesses mentioned within this publication and those to which are affected.

Naomi Wood

1 Mar, 2024

She doesn’t want to be a Goddess. She wants to be a Gobbess.

Storytelling and poetry combine with aerial, circus and live music to tell a kaleidoscopic story of rage and becoming. This is one person’s search for lightness and depth amongst creativity and cat-calling.

Naomi Wood is a multi-disciplinary performance artist specialising in aerial arts and spoken word. She brings the two together to tell her personal story on the nature of creativity and identity, of queerness and self-expression in the social media age. Her work covers consent, the weirdness of human habit and why sometimes we should just embrace being rubbish.

Naomi has an MA in Creative and Critical writing from Sussex University and teaches creative writing workshops that empower people to perform their work onstage. As well as the show, she will be providing a free creative writing workshop at The Old Market – full details for this are coming soon.

Discover were fortunate enough to be invited along to review this performance last month as part of the Reigning Women programme at TOM. Fear not if you missed Gobbess, Naomi will be performing the show again at The Spiegeltent as part of The Fringe Festival on the 8th and 21st of May. 

It is very rare that we are lost for words after seeing a performance, the show is pure magic. From the outset, this enchanting woman held the audience in the palm of her hand, her diminutive form filling the stage as she skilfully combined hoop performance skills with spoken word in a dazzling one hour show about her essence. 

Each spoken word piece gives an insight into Naomi’s psyche and with it the struggles she has faced as a women and someone who has also struggled with their mental health. The performer’s vulnerability is powerful, it empowers her and the audience, showcasing bravery in sharing the most intimate life details. We related to many of the topics covered, such as overcoming anxiety and the negative aspects of falling foul of the male gaze, while trying to find herself as a young woman in a confusing world. 

There is also much joy and laugh-out-loud humour as Naomi relays tales of living a hedonistic life in Brighton and causing havoc in sequinned hot pants. You will fall in love with her unabashed honesty and talent for expression through writing. She is delightful and the show is unmissable. 

Warm up act Felix Orlo was also incredibly entertaining – she had us at ‘Helena Bonham Carter in the back of a spoon’.

Words: Samantha Harman.

Instagram: @iamnaomiwood / @naomiwoodwrites

Steven Graham
Author: Steven Graham

Image Description

Related Articles

Tom Lodge / Chicken Parm

Chicken Parm with Smoked Red Pepper Sauce and Pine Nut and Basil Pesto. Ingredients Chicken: 2 large chicken breasts 100g plain flour 2 large eggs, beaten 100g breadcrumbs (panko recommended) Salt and black pepper, to taste 3 tbsp olive oil, for frying Smoked Red...

Introducing Chef Tom Lodge

We are delighted to introduce our brand-new monthly food columnist, chef Tom Lodge, who will be whipping up delicious recipe inspirations for our readers. Tom Lodge has considerable kudos in the restaurant industry working in renowned Michelin starred restaurants...

StylePixie / Seasonal Change

As we head into October, the new season is becoming clear. We sadly wave goodbye to the warmer months and prepare ourselves for the cozier seasons ahead. Pumpkin soup and hot chocolate anyone? For many of us this is a time for cleaning house, sorting, refreshing,...

Guide to Networking in Brighton

On Wednesday 11th September, I was invited to the House of Lords to celebrate the launch of the ‘Female Entrepreneurship: Moving Forwards’ report by Small Business Britain. My name made the invite list due to being listed in the Top 100 UK Female Entrepreneurs for...

Pumpkin Spooktacular Brighton

Awards Dinner Disruption As Skellie Found With Knife In Back A guest has been found with a knife in their back at Preston Manor during “Cap’n Bad Bobs Dastardly Pirate Skeleton Award Dinner.” A call has gone out to all detectives, sleuths and nosey parkers to come...

Halloween Events / 2024

Spooky season is upon us and as ever there’s so much to do in the city to celebrate Halloween. We have scoured the interweb to find you the very best parties and activities with something for the whole family  Pumpkin Picking Patch Preston Manor - 18th - 31st Oct....

Romany and David Gilmour at The Neptune

David Gilmour’s Surprise Performance Alongside Daughter Romany Gilmour At The Neptune Inn. The Neptune Inn Hove is a friendly community pub and bustling live music venue, with regular open mic nights every Monday evening. Imagine the delight of landlord Bertie and...

Kirk Field / Rave New World

Friday 18th October This Autumn sees acid house culture celebrated at The Old Market Hove in a totally unique, ground-breaking show hosted by the author of award-winning, best-selling book RAVE NEW WORLD: confessions of a raving reporter, Kirk Field.  This Autumn...

London Philharmonic Orchestra

London Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Brighton for a season of dazzling concerts. Celebrating 25 years at Brighton Dome, the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) returns to Brighton. Principal Conductor Edward Gardner makes his debut at the Dome and opens the...

Tiki Hut / A Taste of Paradise

Since opening in the summer, Tiki Hut Brighton has gone from strength to strength. The venue is now synonymous with delicious authentic Caribbean food, 2-4-1 cocktails (on selected days) and dancing!  The stunning outside tiki themed space is ideal for watching the...