I was very excited to see Bafta award-winning writer Jack Thorne’s play Mcdidae. It touches on the unique and stare-worthy experiences I yearn to discover in London. I initially sat in the wrong studio, wondering where the bath wasn’t on the stage, after a while a gentleman approached me and stated he had the same ticket, alas, I was kindly re-directed two floors down to a small dark studio 2, with double seats, intimately close to the bright and fully functioning bathroom which was the scene of this play. The large central bath confirmed I was definitely in the right place.
All seating was extremely close to the actor’s performance, offering a vulnerable, physical and emotional insight. Jack Thorne play set’s the scene with Marian, played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. She’s learning French in her headphones while she brushes her teeth towards the audience. David’s entry is more masculine, he pounds into the bathroom and urinates in front of Marian, commenting that his urine doesn’t smell of Asparagus after last nights dinner. We are met with comedy and a relationship without many barriers, privacy and locked doors. We learn that David, played by Keir Charles is under pressure because he has a work pitch and appears very agitated.
The raw relationship is unveiled when David returns home from his pitch. David wishes to seduce Marian, while he leaves to collect a ‘French’ premium wine from ‘Tesco’s,’ they joke and debate while Marian plays intelligent games with David and challenges her private school experiences over his, we see distance and discover they are facing struggles. David has discovered Marian has been lying to him about her contraception and tension enters the room. Expect big word games, teasing and flirtation in a roller coaster of emotions as Marian and David strip each other down through professional and personal difficulties. There are no shy scenes; we see full frontal nudity, and romantic entwined kisses and angered retaliation.
We believe we’re watching a couple who genuinely know each other and when the bouncy start to the play takes a sudden and unexpected turn, it is hard to sit still in your seat. The effect on the audience was piercing and shocking. It was a challenge to watch at the end, as I felt genuinely involved with the situation and pain the couple were going through. An incredible and courageous performance, compelling with a modern twist. I would recommend experiencing this strong injection of talent.
Mydidae runs at Trafalgar Studios until March 30
Book Tickets HERE
