Pastabate

Take a lot of heartbreak, regret, and searing insight, mix with copious amounts of pasta and any amount of attempted self-soothing, place in the hands of a talented and disciplined actor and you have a very relatable and funny show.

Sophie Peppernell is the sole actor, and she engages the audience from her first surprising entrance. She addresses the audience directly and shares her journey from overwhelming loss and painful efforts to move on from ‘the one’ to a hopeful adjustment to her new reality. Her embodiment of the character is nuanced and demonstrates a command of her craft. Sophie traverses manic and destructive pasta eating, owning up to her part of the breakup, her mixed feelings about ‘the one’ and very winningly invites the audience to identify and walk her difficult journey with her.

The play reaches a crescendo of pain which is uncomfortable to watch but the hallucinatory visit of the Disco Daddies softens the moment.

The swap from being swamped by regret and sadness and a very negative take on the support being offered to her to an embrace of the future feels abrupt since there are very few clues given to the audience that change is on the way.

The stage, lighting and sound designs effectively influence and support without being intrusive.

For everyone who has been heartbroken this play offers a better balm than any amount of pasta could ever deliver.

Ruth Richter

Photographer: Darren Gill