London’s Soho Theatre Walthamstow presents this one-woman show reflecting on the hardships of life as we grow old. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show to let us know if its existential exploration is a croning dramatic achievement.
Life is no fun. Life is too harsh. Life is simply not worth it after turning twenty-five. And even before, you might as well consider jumping off the wagon. These thoughts are not my own. And I doubt that’s the message this show attempted to deliver. In fact, I firmly believe it tried to convey the exact opposite. And I can’t stress the word “try” enough; just like the magnitude of its failure cannot be overstated.
Age Is A Feeling has settled on the recently inaugurated Soho Theatre, Walthamstow. A one-woman show reflecting on the gains and especially our losses in our finite existence, the piece combines dry humour with heavy doses of tragedy, intending to weave an introspective narrative about what truly matters during our short time on this earth.
It could have been a life-affirming experience. It could have been an insightful journey of inspiration and self-discovery. Sadly, it’s nothing of the sort. Despite a few chucklesome punchlines, whose effectiveness is still questionable, the show comes across as a depressing jaunt where joy has been kicked out of the picture and denied readmission.
Members of the audience are approached to choose which segments of the plot will be recounted. That doesn’t affect which turn the story will take. It will always be a dark one. If it’s not a close friend that’s been committed to a psychiatric ward, it’s a horrible accident that kills the last speck of joy you’ve been left with.
The text attempts to make a point about the importance of resilience regardless of the hardships we all must face one way or another — but it isn’t expressed in the most adroit manner.
Previous shows like Every Brilliant Thing explored the subject of suicide with a conscious yet uplifting attitude, acting like a beacon of hope and understanding. This topic might not be the primary focus of Age Is A Feeling; it’s what growing old entails from its perspective: suffering, frustration, and eventual resignation. They could have been handled through a similar lens. Instead, it’s all gloom and no light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
Writer and performer Haley McGee gives a fine rendition. Her comedic timing is adequate, and her portrayal exudes an aura of frailness and sincerity, which consequently adds warmth and proximity to the character. However, her interpretation seems stuck in the same emotional state for the whole evening. And although her execution never comes off flat, its perpetually tear-jerking undertone is off-putting.
Those who loved it might argue that I’m simply too young to comprehend. I will take the compliment. And I will also say that I welcome pieces of life wisdom with open arms. However, when they have nothing else to offer but a glum, overdramatic depiction while still trying to call it endearing, I may draw the line. Age might be a feeling, but I can’t have a single good one about this play.
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Age Is A Feeling plays at London’s Soho Theatre Walthamstow until 7 March. Tickets are available on the following link.