It is what it is – 53two

When does a one-woman play become a stand-up set and vice versa? This show seemed to be unsure which side of that fine line it wanted to be and whilst it was a highly entertaining show it was not entirely clear what was intended.

The space itself mirrored this problem as at the front were a number of tables and chairs set out as they would be in a comedy club. Yet behind them was the traditional tiered seating you would find in a theatre.

Before the play started there was a warm-up act in the form of Maisie McFarlane who played a few sweet songs. This had nothing to do with the play and only added to the cabaret feel for the whole project.

There was an overwhelmingly young, exuberant, animated audience who were extremely lively and definitely keen to enjoy themselves. Given their rhapsodic ovation at the end of the play they clearly enjoyed it and, as a middle-aged man, obviously the play was not aimed at me.

The play itself was a breezy 40-minute piece based around the coming-of-age dilemmas of a young girl called Isobella who has a letter from university and is unsure if she wants to open it to see if she has been accepted. A copy of the letter was left on every other seat with an instruction written on it that it was not to be opened until the end of the play.

Kyra Scott wrote, directed and acted the piece and she is a very confident performer. There are some excellent jokes, which were beautifully timed, and she is a captivating presence. Whilst the narrative lacks originality it does touch briefly on interesting concepts such as existentialism. The title of the play is in itself an existentialist statement, and she does discuss the notion that no one really has control of their own lives.

As you would expect for a play about a teenager on the cusp of freedom and the adult world there is a good deal of self-obsession. This is not a criticism as I would not expect anything else from a drama about such a character. There is something touchingly beautiful in her solipsism before life truly takes hold to knock the corners off her character. Although it has to be said Isobella has already had to face a heart-breaking trauma in her childhood.

The piece lacked structure and depth, and this is why it came across as more stand-up than drama. There is a darker section within the piece, but I have seen many a stand-up set that has discussed similar themes and used similar devices. However, this part of the play was moving and well performed.

Kyra is an extremely charismatic writer and performer who I am sure will go on to produce something remarkable with more depth and originality in the future.

Reviewer: Adam Williams

Reviewed: 19^th May 2023

North West End UK Rating: