one4review | On 26, Aug 2022

When E receives a call from her former lover, she drops everything in Ireland to rush over to London to see him. They have been apart for almost a year and, as a result, she has endured a period of mental torment which she equates to mustard in the mind. The yellow biting paste seems to her to be a perfect metaphor for the mental and physical pain she has felt. As she lies in bed with her former boyfriend, hoping for a reconciliation, E recounts how she met the professional cyclist, how she fell for him and how the relationship soured. He discovers her slathered in mustard and asks her to leave. On returning to Ireland, she begins to slowly recuperate and the mustard in her mind begins to clear, until she receives the phone call. The ending of the play may not necessarily be the ending she wanted, but it was an uplifting one nevertheless.

Eva O’Conner is a superb performer. She was spellbinding in this solo performance, and her script was beautifully poetic with flashes of humour and tragedy. The hour sped by, and the audience was gripped by the story unfolding in front of them. I can only urge everyone to rush and see this before the end of the festival – you won’t be disappointed.

5*****

Reviewed by Rona
Summerhall – Main Hall
2.45pm (1hr)
Until 28th Aug