Daddy Issues
Seven Dials Playhouse
25th Oct to 19th Nov 2022
“Daddy Issues interrogates the lengths we’ll go to forget the things that haunt us. Hollowed out by loss, Imi is desperately trying to satiate this gap with anything that will numb reality. As she spirals, she fights to remember all the reasons why she must choose to live.”
Review by Richard Lambert, 5 Stars
The most striking thing as you enter the space is the set deisgn of this granny-flat (Andrew Exeter). Bold, pink, items in the wrong location, a wall of old fashioned appliances from a by-gone era. It cuts the performance space down to a claustrophobic arm chair and out-of place light ring for “Imi” (Imogen) to live stream from her equally out-of-place smart phone. There’s something of a remnant about the flat that shows a reluctance to change someone else’s habitat, even after they’ve gone, and it’s one year later.
My seat was in the back row which was perfect – I don’t like sitting on the stage alongside the actors and in view of the audience. Surprisingly, the house lights were off making it a little difficult to read the seat numbers. The actor was on stage pinning things on the wall of the flat.
The lighting (Andrew Exeter) and sound (Christopher Read) are very supportive of the book and two of the characters only appear in voice-over. Cued immaculately by the Company Stage Manager (Betty Smith). The video (Lewis Den Hertog) plays through an old CRT television set and emphasises the mood via waves crashing on a rocky shore, or static, or shows the text messages sent to Imi as she live streams. This helps glue it all together.
This is a show that’s been built by a team working together. It clearly shows in the interaction of the elements. A fast 65 minute production that’s got it all just right.
Bebe Cave delivers an honest performance that’s never forced or acted. The issues raised will land with everyone who’s ever lost a relative or friend due to mental health and/or suicide. It’s an important piece of theatre that starts the narrative around such issues. Theatre is important. This show is important.
Photo credit: Helen Murray
Listings Info
Daddy Issues
Dates Monday 24th October to Saturday 19th November 2022
Times Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays 2.30pm
Run Time 75 Minutes with no interval
Box Office Tickets from £15 available on 020 3841 6600 or at
https://www.sevendialsplayhouse.co.uk/shows/daddy–issues
Location
Seven Dials Playhouse, 1a Tower Street, London WC2H 9NP
How to get there The nearest underground station are Leicester Square (Northern and
Piccadilly lines), Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth Line, Northern and Central
lines) and Covent Garden (Piccadilly line). The nearest rail station is Charing
Cross.
Social
Twitter – @7DialsPlayhouse
Instagram – @7DialsPlayhouse
Facebook – @SevenDialsPlayhouse
Writer Lewis Cornay
Producer Liam Gartland for Gartland Productions