“We won’t ask you to get up and sing into a microphone” – these words printed under the What to Expect section in the programme for Sh*t Life Crisis were music to my “hate audience participation” ears.
But what did I do on Thursday evening when invited to sing into a microphone during the show? I instantly ignored my misgivings and sang the words I LOVE IT at the top of my tuneless voice, during a karaoke sequence.
But I’m jumping ahead.
I was at the Polar Bear Music Club in Hull to watch the performance presented by local theatre company, Silent Uproar.
Arriving early at the venue, my first visit there, I and my theatre buddy sister were invited to relax in a back room while sound checks etc took place – a back room that wouldn’t have looked out of place a century ago. We loved the old pub atmosphere with its beer glass-marked wooden tables and the words “Smoke Room” etched into the door’s glass panels.
Taking our seats in the music room half-an-hour before “curtain up” gave us a chance to have a good look at our surroundings.
The very small stage benefited from reflective panels to one side, giving the impression of more space. At the back, a gold-coloured metal curtain hung in strips while, aloft, two huge glitter balls were surrounded by a strip of purply-blue LED lights.
Completing this picture, up one side, across the front and side was a colourful video screen upon which the lyrics to the aforementioned karaoke songs were highlighted.
And before the 8pm start we were treated to a fabulous range of hit songs by various artists, through a sound system that was absolutely perfect for such a small-ish venue. I could have sat and listened all night long, but reviewing duty called …
Sh*t Life Crisis relates the story of cancer sufferers and former friends, Grace (Florence Odumosu) and Abbie (Madeleine MacMahon).
Newly diagnosed with breast cancer, Grace is surprised to have a visit from her old friend, Abbie, who has heard about her old friend’s condition from Grace’s mother.
Having survived breast cancer herself, Abbie offers Grace sympathy (unwanted), advice (unwanted) and anything else she can think of to help her on her cancer journey.
And what a journey it turns out to be – for us in the well-attended venue as well as for the two friends.
Although totally different characters – Abbie is a full of fun, live-for-today type while Grace is a worrier and much quieter – the pair’s love of karaoke, especially at the Slippery Duck club, sees them abandon all – Grace’s especially – cares and woes.
But always lurking in the background is the Big C.
Written by Olivia Hannah, Sh*t Life Crisis tackles the terror of this horrible disease with humour, fun, fear and, inevitably, sadness. A sadness revealed in the poignant opening words, so we knew a happy ending wasn’t on the cards.
The story obviously affected one or two audience members who dabbed their eyes on occasion, and that’s totally understandable.
But the glue holding everything together was the glorious music sung by two equally glorious young women at a karaoke session where, dressed in fun-fur coats, they left their cares behind singing along to songs such as Ain’t No Mountain High Enough at the tops of their voices.
The two young women in question were simply amazing on the night. Odumosu as Grace never left the stage, being the main storyteller. No mean feat.
MacMahon as Abbie, meanwhile, changed characters, voices and stage setting (huge cardboard cut-outs of a hospital chemo drip stand, TV, drinks glasses etc) at all the appropriate times.
Every word uttered by both was loud and clear and every song sung, very tuneful, especially Odumosu’s spine-tingling rendition of Tracy Chapman’s Baby Can I Hold You.
These two amazing performers certainly did justice to Hannah’s thought-provoking script.
But will I ever forgive Abbie for shoving a microphone in my face to sing into? Of course I will. Audience participation? Bring it on.
Recommended age 16+
Reviewer: Jackie Foottit
Reviewed: 29th May 2025
North West End UK Rating: