A cautionary tale of unhinged ambition.Rating
If you have interacted with a toddler for a substantial amount of time at any point in the last ten years, you may well be familiar with the instructional song ‘Hop Little Bunnies’. When sung, this song activates little ones like sleeper agents, prompting them to engage in a set of bunny-like movements. Does this conjure up a sweet image? After watching You’re So Special, you will never hear that song in quite the same way again.
You’re So Special follows baby ballet teacher Miss June (Julia Grogan) as she is offered a spot on a TV talent show, only to completely unravel when the offer is withdrawn. She channels all her pent-up creative energy into preparing her six-to-eighteen-month-old charges for the end-of-term sharing event. Her overzealous energy, however, eventually leads to her downfall as she becomes increasingly fixated on her own solo turn at the event, designed solely to get the attention of the parents of one of her students, who happen to be TV producers. Throughout, we see glimpses of who June is outside her baby ballet class: obsessing over videos of Daisy Edgar-Jones and lying to a childhood acquaintance about her success. June appears to want to be anyone else but herself.
There is a certain amount of snobbery directed towards those who have trained in the arts and ‘end up’ in teaching. This is exemplified by the line Miss June spits at her mentor and childhood ballet teacher: “Those who can’t do, teach, and those who can’t teach, teach babies.” Whilst intended as an insult to someone else, it is clear that she is projecting her own beliefs about herself in frustration. The sections in which she interacts with her imaginary students are excellent, and she embodies the vibe of a frustrated teacher brilliantly. At no point do you get the impression that Miss June cares for her students; her job is simply a filler until she hits the big time. But where does her arrogance come from? It is implied that her mentor once told her she was special as a child, and she has hung on to this ever since. Regardless of whatever seed was planted in childhood, Miss June as an adult is ego-driven, narcissistic and exhibits downright diabolical behaviour in her quest to be seen.
The play is presented in four acts, with lighting and sound used to good effect to mark these sections. The dramatic soundtrack gives the play a Fleabag-esque vibe, strengthened by some of the crude language and themes. The set is minimal but works exceptionally well, with one standout moment involving a bathroom cabinet towards the end of the play. In terms of pace, some time could be shaved off the beginning to get us into the action more promptly. That said, after the first act, the pace picks up and it becomes a non-stop wild ride until the end.
You’re So Special asks the question: what happens when someone bound for stardom doesn’t make it? It will leave you with more questions than answers, and a lot of talking points for your tube ride home. But this is the beauty of the piece.
Written by Julia Grogan
Directed by Rachel Lemon
Sound design by George Dennis
Lighting design by Han Sayles
You’re So Special plays at Soho Theatre until Saturday 26 September.
