Writers and Directors: Annie Knox and Kia Kielty
Locked in a broken-down lift, imprisoned within the confines of your own mind, hiding out in the toilets or stuck inside feelings of despair: feeling trapped is the focal point of these four stand-alone performances written by Annie Knox and Kia Kielty.
The opening play – Waste is breathtakingly emotive. Knox writes and acts with sensitivity about suicide and mental health, in a manner that’s rarely executed as well as this. Featuring two characters in a hospital waiting room, discussing their psyche and reasoning for being there, you slowly start to discover more about each of their backstories, empathising with their problems and investing in their futures. Alex Miller de Luis is fantastic as the inquisitive onlooker, desperate for answers and executing his poignant role heartbreakingly realistic.
In contrast the closing play – Cubicle, written by Knox and Kielty, is light-hearted and fun, still thematically hitting the mark, but with a different approach to the idea of being enclosed. Two strangers meet through the walls of a nightclub toilet, neither of them wanting to face the dancefloor again and instead taking solace in the small bathroom space. They hilariously become embroiled in the scandals and secrets of the other bathroom users, all while behind closed doors. Taja Morgan and Kathryn Haywood hit every comedic cue possible, while still highlighting their characters’ inner struggles and issues. It’s also great to see the rest of the supporting cast feature as additional characters within this piece, adding an extra element of comedy to an already funny storyline.
Mirror is a short piece, written by Knox and starring Varsha Patel, showcasing the internal struggle of body dysmorphia and intrusive thoughts. Patel’s character is swamped with self-doubt and criticism – evoking empathy from the audience while she battles her inner demons. Patel confidently dominates the stage from beginning to end.
Lift is another short storyline, written by and starring Kielty, alongside Chris Clynes, featuring their two characters stuck in a lift, initially assumed as strangers but coming to the realisation that there’s a very dark past between the two of them. The performance is tense, engaging and exciting – with Clynes and Kielty flipping the standard assumptions of domestic abuse and creating a unique storyline.
These original plays are all written and acted impeccably, showcasing their range with a variety of genres, situations and characters. Considering the intensity of some of the pieces, and the potential triggering nature of the storylines, the need for careful consideration is key. Thankfully not only do Knox and Kielty approach the subjects compassionately, they also ensure the creativity and entertainment factors are there in abundance.
Runs until 7 May 2022
