4 Stars

****

Celia Peachey gives a most moving and compelling performance in her depiction of Faith, a young woman in a seriously mentally unbalanced state of mind. The realism in her writing and performance comes from a traumatic experience in her own life.

The play opens with Faith seated in her attic. Earlier in the day, she has attended her mother’s funeral. Her mind is in deep pain and in a state of inner chaos. Characters crowd into her head but there are huge gaps in her memory. Who is she is her plea?

She opens a trunk. Objects give clues to her past. A notebook containing a list of male names denotes promiscuity. A volume of Shakespeare indicates she was once a serious student. A knife explains the self abuse on her body. The key possession is her journal which triggers thoughts about her relationship with her mother. The death of her mother is especially tragic since she had been murdered. It is apparent the police could have done more to give her mother protection.

Having had a few minutes to spare before seeing the play, I played a little game making up as many words from the ’F***ing’ in the title. Of course, there are a few obvious ones, but the word ‘Fearing’ is perhaps the most appropriate word to fit the theme of this psychological drama.

A footnote: After the play had ended, Celia Peachey came back on stage to explain that she had altered the play to a drama. In her promotional material, it is described as a comedy. However, I don’t think members of the audience would have any complaints given the quality of her performance.

Reviewed by Ben

Venue; Venue Number                  Gilded Balloon Teviot; V14

Dates                                                  4 to 30 August 2010

Times                                                 12.00 to 13.00

Fringe Programme Page Number: 255