The Edinburgh Fringe Festival might be over for another
year, but London continues on year round with small-scale shows just like How (Not) To Live In Suburbia from playwright
and performer Annie Siddons. And in part, the show is a love letter to the city
of London for all its faults and wonders. It’s as dangerous and terrifying as
it is hedonistic and thrilling. And when you leave for the suburbs, loneliness
sets in.
That’s what happened to Siddons, the play being an
autobiographical account – albeit one that marries truth with surreal comedy. Mixing
spoken word with film clips as she recounts the details of how she left London
for the suburbia of Twickenham (home of rugby – or THOR for short), it begins somewhat
with the feel of a Powerpoint presentation. But with her softly spoken clear
delivery, poetically descriptive language and oddball wit, Siddons draws us
into the narrative.
She looks after her two children, who turn out to be olive
trees she is tending to literally spread suburban roots. The films are brimming
with awkward situations and social commentary that are brutally and hilariously
close to the bone. And she’s followed Donnie
Darko style by an anthropomorphic walrus of loneliness, who haunts her
every move and taunts her repeatedly. Siddons is also joined on stage by Nicki
Hobday who plays a brilliantly funny parody of her, a fitting counterpart in a
play that’s all about self-reflection.
For all its dark humour, How
(Not) To Live In Suburbia tackles a pertinent subject, that of loneliness
and mental health. Further, though, it explores the pressures of motherhood, providing
for children, failing in romantic relationships and struggling to develop a
career. On a higher level, the idea of failing to live up to our own
expectations is a notion that all adults can relate to – in Siddons' case it’s in
a literal manifesto. As much as we laugh, we witness the breakdown of her
mental state and as we’re disarmed by the humour, the sincerity of the message
is all the more affecting.
It becomes clear by the end that through help from a
charity she was able to find success in writing a play, the very play we’re
watching. To stand up in front of an audience and lay yourself bare takes huge
strength and courage, but Siddons manages it with tact and great storytelling.
4/5
Watch: How (Not) To Live In Suburbia runs at Soho Theatre until 2nd September before embarking on a UK tour in November.
Photo: Nicki Hobday
