Review of ‘Feeling Afraid As If Something Bad Is Going To Happen’: “Dragging reality”

The Bush Theatre hosts the London transfer of this stand-up style comedy dealing with the love and sex life of a gay man in a middle age crisis. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know the hype about this piece exploring intimate relationships was in fact a cock-and-bull story.

LOL. I remember the last time my boyfriend laughed at something I said. I hope he’s enjoying his new life on the Thames bedrock. But even if I have a bit of a temper, I just can’t imagine what it’d be like if my partner couldn’t do it. I mean LAUGHING – always thinking of the same… (mmm, who’s this blond cutie on Grindr?). Marcelo do Santos’s new comedy parts from what’s, to say the least, a twisted turn on the traditional romantic comedy: a stand-up humorist unable to commit to a relationship (I wonder if my crush will take the hint) finds himself enthralled by a guy who treats him differently: he doesn’t rush things, he’s warm, handsome and kind (I’m drooling already), and he’s unable to even chuckle – because doing it could kill him.

Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen (someone really didn’t think of Twitter when they came up with the title) arrives to London after its acclaimed run at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe. Staged as a cabaret club monologue, the play presents us with the neurotic (though so truthful) observations of a 36-year-old man facing a middle-age (deal with it, babe) crisis. A comment on the usual trials and tribulations people cope with when it comes to dating, the play delivers a deep, insightful analysis on the struggles of a gay man’s romantic quest – exploring the fears, doubts and issues we often hear inside us when something is starting to happen, but so many times we’re too afraid to express out loud.

Remarkably relatable all the way through, the piece manages to cover many interesting themes which, though may be mentioned briefly, their presence is preserved and acknowledged during the entire narrative: the parental issues coming from their scarring homophobic attitude, the constant need for validation stemming from that lack of support, and the recurrent concern to open oneself to the arms of who we wish he cares for us, but know that could also hurt us. Penned with delightful wit and boiling sauciness, the script offers a bitchy yet realistic examination on the clash between self-love and the love for someone else – building up a profound philosophical essence in its undertone while raising the giggles high through its amusing and brilliantly timed jokes.

With a minimal yet effective set by Ket Heath and its blocking devised with some intricacy, director Matthew Xia achieves some level of visuals with a versatile use of the scenic space, enhanced by Elliot Grigg’s slightly evocative lighting. However, the big praise and mention goes to Samuel Barnett as the solo actor, performing the text with so much passion, infectiousness and naturality, too often you may find yourself confused about who you’re actually listening to: a character or your sassy best friend (except for me, because no one exceeds my shadiness… and also because, just as every critic, I have no friends).

Featuring a sharp, introspective view on the human psyche through its articulate dick-tion (no one’s complaining about that), Feeling Afraid… (I’m advocating for the saving of typing resources) triumphs as resoundingly as the laughter it triggers – regaling us with a fun, entertaining journey that also puts us in touch with the roughness of life’s ups and downs. A dark comedy to some (to me, more of a sassy approach on our everyday), its cunning and wisdom on modern relationships will also pull from several heart’s strings thanks to its charming plot – and though it’s closer to reassuring what we already know rather than taking us through any discovery, there’s still a few good surprises to be charmed by. The joke will be on you at the end – and you F*CKING will love it! Just as it works the other way around.

Feeling Afraid As If Something Bad Is Going To Happen plays at London’s Bush Theatre until 23 December. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara