12.97°C This is a gorgeous, tender semi-autobiographical play created by Jess Ashley, offering an insight into her atypical brain and shining a light on both her neurodiversity and the urgent climate change catastrophe. Performed at the Mercury Theatre (Studio), it’s an honest, beautifully written piece in which Ashley shares embarrassing moments from her past, accompanied by an excellent David Attenborough-style voiceover that gives us sobering facts about marine environments while also commenting on her experiences in fish terms.
Viewing the world as uncharted waters, Jess instigates “Operation Free Willy: An Agoraphobic Orca’s Guide to Escaping Your Tank”, complete with a to-do list that is checked off during the course of the performance. The key strength lies in likening her experiences to different marine species. She longs to be as cool as a manta ray, gently swaggering through life, confident in what she’s doing, but she’s often an isolated seal pup, in danger from predators. This creates many funny sequences, as well as moments of reflection and poignancy. The balance is struck perfectly in this totally engaging script.
The play is beautifully directed by Joe Allen, with full consideration for neurodivergent audience members and for Jess. All performances are relaxed, ensuring that “socially awkward sardines like me will know they are not alone.” And that is the triumph of this piece – it genuinely connects and brings an audience together. The whole production is gently educational about climate catastrophe and neurodiversity, without ever adopting a tone other than friendly. Delivered with intelligence and wit, it is a quiet triumph that achieves its aims with style.
Review by Paul T. Davies, Theatre Editor – Keep Colchester Cool
Runs until Friday 31st October. Tickets are available.
