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★★★★★ An exceptional portrayal of grief and the comedy we use to cope.Summary
Rating
Unmissable
In a world where influencers confess directly to camera and give audiences a front seat view of their lives, there is an intimacy — or the illusion of — in our ability to connect through the directness of the internet. In the 100-seat auditorium of Seven Dials Playhouse, Lewis Cornay’s Daddy Issues captures this intimacy through confronting moments of direct address and Bebe Cave’s raw and honest delivery.
Grief affects everyone in different ways, and we all have different responses and ways of coping — or trying to. In Daddy Issues, Imi’s response to recent loss is drinking a lot of port on the anniversary of her father’s death and going live online.
Cornay’s script skilfully weaves comedy and tragedy to portray a difficult and transformative night of Imi’s life, highlighting how humour is often used as a coping mechanism for grief and trauma. There are stand out moments of comedy: Imi chasing away trick or treaters, a reading of ABBA lyrics at an attempted funeral service for her recently deceased dog, and the whole situation with his ashes. These moments, expertly directed by Jane Moriarty, together with Imi’s humour build our relationship with her, and as the story progresses, we feel every part of it.
The production has fullness and flair. From the bright colours of Andrew Exeter’s set, to the deterioration of Imi’s look (costume design by Sophia Pardon), every aspect of the show is considered and executed with success. Christopher Reid’s sound and Exeter’s lighting design are used particularly well to emulate the alcohol exacerbated chaos of Imi’s mind, and the frightening moments where her brain tries to make sense of her grief. Lewis Den Hertog’s video design is an effective and stimulating storytelling tool that further enriches the creation of Imi’s relationship with the online world — and it makes us laugh, too.
The use of voiceover performances has an interesting effect. In their delivery, they sound rehearsed and crisp, which stands out from the unfaltering conviction of Cave’s performance. Although this at first distances us, the clarity of their measured, practiced performance serves to emphasise their status as entirely invented by Imi’s mind. The constant barrage of voices, that interrupt her flow of storytelling and her attempts to perform for her online audience, offer us insight into her grief processing, and her internal struggle for control over her narrative.
Through these voiceovers, and Imi’s references to the people in her life, her isolation is highlighted, and she is pushed to confront how she can help herself. Cave’s portrayal of this journey is exemplary. A compelling storyteller, she reveals Imi’s stories with drama and precision. Her depiction of a descent into drunkenness is convincing, without ever compromising on clarity of story or speech. Cave’s performance of overwhelming emotion is devastating; the wavering of distress in her voice is striking and she is wholly convincing in every moment.
Daddy Issues is a polished and punchy performance that will continue to entertain and devastate audiences. Despite the difficult territory it navigates, Imi’s story empowers and offers us hope, the value of which can never be underestimated.
Written by: Lewis Cornay
Directed by: Jane Moriarty
Produced by: Liam Gartland
Set and Lighting Design by: Andrew Exeter
Sound Design by: Christopher Reid
Costume Design by: Sophia Pardon
Video Design by: Lewis Den Hertog
Daddy Issues plays at Seven Dials Playhouse until 19 November. Further information and bookings can be found here.
