The honest and frank inspiration of female experience of depression makes for a brave piece of cabaret. Jo discusses her own memories whilst telling fragments of stories about other women’s struggles with depression, and relishes performing her Austrian alter-ego, who voices social prejudice towards mental illness. The show confronts stigma – with Jo’s frank admission that her mother does not like the fact that she is doing the show - but you’re meant to laugh, and the leading lady’s forthright manner about her material dispels the potential for bringing about feelings of discomfort amongst the audience. Cabaret has long been a site of cultural transgression, and Jo’s delivery about difficult topics such as rape and abortion use the medium to its best.
Fingers Piano Bar, 6 – 20th (not 8, 15), 3.10pm (4.10pm), free, fpp n/a.
tw rating 4/5
[hd]
Sections: by Harriet Dodd - ED2011 Cabaret Reviews - tw rating 4/5 | Tags: Fingers Piano Bar, PBH's Free Fringe
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