Review: (sorry) by King's Head Theatre

A mostly tight study of the issues of today, through the eyes of a millennial

★★★
theatre review (edinburgh) | Read in About 2 minutes
33328 large
121329 original
Published 23 Aug 2018
33330 large
121329 original

There's a lot to like in this new work. It piles millennial angst onto millennial angst, and moral conundrum onto moral conundrum, leaving them metaphorically—and physically—piled on the stage. Susie Sillett's monologue, performed energetically by Louise Beresford, takes this almost to the point of silliness, never succumbing to the temptation of resolution.

"I think I'm just about happy with where I am at this stage in my life calendar," says Beresford, after spending far too long paralysed by the choice between own brand or branded chickpeas. This measuring-up pervades the piece. She draws moral equivalence between things that definitely aren't morally equivalent. It's funny at first, then worrying as she transplants this same mode of thinking onto workplace exploitation, dislocated friendships and, finally, environmental collapse. "I will keep listening and changing," she pleads as the world falls apart. In truth, the reality of environmental disaster isn't really tackled. It's more of a mirror used to reflect the daft expectations placed on millennials, as well as their own daft responses to these expectations. The issues themselves are left relatively unscathed.

At 65 minutes, there are points where this feels like it needn't be quite that long. The tight writing sometimes hits a lull and Beresford, as one person on a stage, isn't provided with enough additional tools to keep the energy or variety up through these. Beresford's Yorkshire accent at points slips into charicature, too. Nonetheless, this remains a one-person performance to be proud of.