Performed, Written and Directed by Megan Relph, Co directed by Parissa Zamanpour
Review by Jayne Skudder Monday 6th September
If Megan Relph’s one woman show ‘Proper Adult’, is anything to go by, The Greater Manchester Fringe Festival is back with a blast this year, showing creativity knows no boundaries, after last year’s covid crisis hit our theatres.
Staff at Altrincham Garrick welcomed us with open arms into the Lauriston studio where Megan, already in character, set her scene. We truly believe we are in TGI Fridays, where the 18 year old has just got her first job as a ‘proper adult’, the set is simple but effective with attention to detail. Three tables become a myriad of scenes, throughout from TGI Fridays, to the protagonist’s bedroom and dreamlike memories of imaginary nostalgic play settings of time gone by: times spent with her younger brother Bobby, that she yearns for. Scenes are enhanced by sound and lighting effects which work seamlessly to denote passage of time and mood change.
From the off Megan reeled us in with her natural, captivating, stage presence, offering us some snacks, she was happily munching on, breaking the fourth wall and filling the studio. This interaction worked well throughout and the audience was fully on board, as Megan moved with versatility between a range of well rounded characters from her gossipy, single mum barging into her room, fag in hand, to the complaining condescending customer. Audience participation worked especially well when Megan did the TGI Fridays ‘Happy Birthday number’ and nobody held back in joining in.
Characterisation was en pointe; developed using facial expression, well honed accents and physicality. The use of space and props is just right and transitions between scenes and characters flawless.
Engaging throughout, this piece offers a mixture of ‘down to earth’ comedy, with situations and characters we can all relate to, a believable backstory and heart rending pathos, as the plot twists. Everything came together so well in this piece and Megan should be commended for her outstanding performance, writing and commitment. It reminded me how much I have missed the energy of live theatre at its best and I hope to see this rising star again in the future.
