What does a day in the life of an Antisocial Behaviour Officer look like? Asbo Bozo, a one-woman show written and performed by Georgina Duncan, vividly brings the answer to life. And it's not just an arbitrary working day, it's her birthday.
In Wigan, a small town in the north of England, a place with no train station and where the pubs and restaurants are somewhat dated, an Antisocial Behaviour Officer starts her day. Being in this profession means she has to deal with almost non-stop complaints from local residents in the middle of the week and help them solve their problems. To keep her life from being disrupted by her work, she has a mobile phone that she uses at work and a personal one. Instead of complaining about this, she enjoys her job. And on this special day - her 30th birthday - she not only plans to complete her work tasks as usual, but also looks forward to receiving birthday wishes from people and having a good time celebrating with her friends at the pub after work. However, her day is plagued with many misfortunes from the start...
The set specifically displays the office environment. Set behind the stage is a huge bookshelf with an assortment of books and a few pots of greenery. To the left of the stage is her desk and a movable office chair. Her notebook is on the desk, and her work jacket hangs aside. Before the play begins, she sits with her back to the audience, with a small birthday hat at her feet, reminding the audience of the uniqueness of the day. However, the incessant ringing of her mobile phone (Isabel Buchanan) doesn't give her a moment's rest.
Not only does she write a well-flowing text, but Duncan's excellent performance also has the energy to make the audience empathise with her. She creates a character that is not only full of energy, but the emotions she has are subtle and authentic as well. When she saw, in a panic, the somewhat confusing doll given to her as a birthday present by Darren, who had always annoyed her a little, she supported her forehead with her hand and her eyes slightly watery, almost didn't know what to do with it. And I followed along with her, feeling touched and heartbroken while finding it slightly funny. It is also worth mentioning that during this performance, there was a sudden downpour outside, and the thunder could be heard even in the theatre, but she was not affected at all. On the contrary, it made me think that the thunders were intentionally designed to signal the heavy rain that was about to fall in the play. After watching this story, rather than thinking of this production as a comedy, it's more likely that this main character in the play has a unique sense of humour and is a very endearing person. And for a one-woman show, it is more important than ever that the audience find the protagonist lovable.
Bozo means 'someone who is stupid and doesn't care about others’, but the protagonist of this story is in fact the exact opposite. She has almost no room for herself in her life because of the importance she attaches to her work. And when she does want to relax - even if she doesn't enjoy the moment at all - it causes her more difficulties. Not only does this story take place in a stagnant, forgotten little town, but the position the main character holds and herself seem to be forgotten as well, and Duncan's simple but beautiful play reminds us of them again.
Asbo Bozo runs at Riverside Studios until 29th March 2025.
★★★★☆ (4*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Jake Bush
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