In the Lady Garden – Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker One

Pairing homely references to Yorkshire puddings with anecdotes about sex toys, Babs Horton’s new comedy monologue provides an hour of gentle feminist fun

Main character Alice is 69, an age that seems not entirely accidental given the subject matter, and says that “I know a lot about sex – mainly theory”. She’s been married to Keith for years, after being expelled from convent school much to her mother’s disgust. We meet Alice in a prison cell, created simply by director Deborah Edgington using wooden blocks to represent a bench and a toilet. This promising set up digresses into a series of funny and touching reminiscences, mostly seguing into each other like the thoughts of a distracted mind

Julia Faulkner as Alice is an engaging performer, vocally confident and in command of the space. She makes Alice a likeable character, giving her both a sense of naivety and strength. Edgington uses the space well, ensuring that the audience on all three sides are included and that the action does not become too static. Simple lighting changes and an intermittent soundscape suggest different locations and time periods where necessary. 

Horton’s writing is detailed and evocative, from the description of a nun with foxy teeth to the image of an elderly aunt warming her backside at the kitchen fire, fag tucked behind her ear. These domestic images, delivered in a broad Yorkshire accent by Faulkner, contrast nicely with the more serious themes that are touched on. Gender equality, victim blaming and sexual assault are all mentioned, but these darker moments are still laced with humour. Older women are often invisible within society, and this piece centres them and their lived experience and reminds us not to underestimate them. 

However, there are some structural issues with the narrative – the reason Alice is locked up in prison is not revealed until 45 minutes into the 60 minute play, and this reveal feels all too brief. It would perhaps be nice to have hints of this interspersed with the more reminiscent parts of the story, and learn more about Alice’s crime, as this is really funny. That’s not to say that the anecdotes are not engaging – they are, but it feels like there needs to be a little more of a balance between the current circumstances and the flashbacks. 

This is an entertaining debut play, well performed, and will certainly prove relatable to those of all ages.

Reviewer: Torya Hughes

Reviewed: 2nd August 2024

North West End UK Rating:

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