Trashed, Underbelly Cowgate – Review

Pros: David William Bryan’s performance is one that you won’t forget.

Cons: The script could present some obstacles for those who aren’t familiar with the slang used.
Trashed, Underbelly Cowgate – Review

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

'In-Yer-Face' monologue of a man whose entire life is devastated after the death of his young daughter.

If you’re looking for a thrilling performer, look no further. David William Bryan’s portrayal of bin worker Keith Goody starts with a bang and finishes with fireworks. Angry, hurt and blunt, he takes the audience on a journey through his personal sufferings and the slow crumbling of his marriage.

After the death of his child, his wife Debbie has cut all communications with him and, despite still living under the same roof she doesn’t speak to him anymore but just throws around some reproaching looks that drive him mad.

Attending the bereavement support group doesn’t help. The way the meetings are structured, the dramatic stories that everyone shares and even the grey walls and furniture seem designed to remind a depressed person why they are depressed.

Rather than staying at home and bearing Debbie’s silent judgement, Keith prefers to spend his time under a flyover, amongst old car seats, broken disco balls and old barrels. This is the only place he feels at peace, and also the scenario we see on stage. His wife makes him feel worthless, his job is disheartening and his whole life is trashed, so drinking cider seems the only remedy and, the more he drinks, the more he opens up about his problems.

An unlikely friendship with an eight year old boy brings some light into Keith’s helpless existence but Trashed is essentially a play about loss, and playwright Sascha Moore doesn’t make any concessions to his character. He’s doomed to unintentionally trash whatever he touches.

Singing on the notes of Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark, cider-soaked Keith Goody is an antihero who shares his thoughts and cans of Strongbow with the front row and points a furious finger at a society that attributes easy labels but fails to provide support to those who need it most. He’s a mess but nonetheless he has the audience’s sympathy.

Author: Sascha Moore
Producer: Lab Rats
Booking Until: 27 August 2017
Box Office: 03333 444167
Booking Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/trashed