Originally performed at Edinburgh Fringe, I was eager to know why this show was a consistent sell out during the festival. Writer, Rafaella Marcus has brought us a retelling of the Greek myth ‘Daphne’ sought after by Apollo and to escape him turns herself into a tree. Often used as a device exploring sexual assault and violence however in this story, Daphne is Bisexual who is desperately ashamed and would much rather lie than confront the people she loves. With one lie, a seed is planted and from that a dark and tragic path is laid out.
Only a 70 minute piece and every second completely enchanting to watch, two actors (Jessica Clark and Rebecca Banatvala) swerve through the space like seasoned pros with every click, move and nod perfectly synchronised with the lights and sound. Moving and weaving between each other; at times as if they were one person. It was utterly compelling to watch them together and I was routing for Daphne from the beginning, despite her lack of self worth and shattering need to be loved. Daphne brings us to the beginning when she met ‘just a guy’ a ‘good-looking enough guy’ at work where she helps a charity in domestic violence. After that evening she feels confident enough to go to a lesbian bar where she meets ‘wonder woman’ and from their she falls in love, it could be her happy ending. That is until ‘Wonder Woman’ spills her views on Bisexuality and her distrust in women who are, leaving Daphne perplexed on whether to be honest or for the sake of her happiness to lie about her previous moments with men. 3 months on and it feels too damaging to go back and rewrite her mistake so instead, we are taken on an absolute rollercoaster of tragedy, comedy, realness and empowerment in self worth.
It must be said that this piece is very clearly well loved by all involved. Moment to moment there is a crisp, satisfying clarity in what we are being shown paired beautifully with sound and lights. There wasn’t a moment I was left drifting which is particularly hard to accomplish in small cast productions but the way they had every audience member grasped in a combined feeling of wanting to help and protect is a really special feeling to experience.
The themes of this piece are dark but also completely necessary as Daphne says ‘because it’s what happens. It’s what always happens’. But we didn’t leave feeling heavy and devastated, we left feeling pride in Daphne and how she didn’t drown from this experience but found community and self worth and the value she gained in herself was extraordinary. That’s not to say that what ‘always happens’ is not absolutely devastating because it is, but this play recognises that the methods we are using right now don’t seem to plant themselves enough to make any change and what happens ‘is not the point. It’s not the point of me’ (Daphne).
This is a magical retelling, fantastical and tragic; the most compelling show I’ve seen this year. A beautiful piece that deserves to be seen by as many as possible.
Playing until 22nd April, https://sohotheatre.com/shows/sap-by-rafaella-marcus/
Reviewer: Alice Rose
Reviewed: 5th April 2023
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★