The Waiting Room, which is written and performed by Kim Moon, is a one woman show that uses movement and dialogue to shine a light on intense anxious attachment theory, by reflecting on her own relationships. Directed by Esalan Gates, the piece uses movement and dialogue to help convey the overwhelming emotions, with Moon's strong performance that hooks the audience from the get go.
Lemon (Moon) recounts her mother's abandonment when she was a child and the negative lasting impact that this has on her and all of her future relationships. Focusing primarily on her relationship with Cactus, an unseen character, Lemon struggles to feel safe and secure in her relationship, always scared to be left behind. Lemon finds herself trapped in a metaphorical room, where she waits to be able to move past her attachment issues and love, and trust freely once again.
The writing is, for the most part, thought-provoking and intelligent, especially when Lemon laments about how her mother's abandonment makes her feel. The narrative between Lemon and Cactus is weaker, especially with numerous metaphors, comparisons and innuendos being used to communicate their failing relationship. However, Moon vividly and accurately captures the intensity of being overwhelmed by anxiety and overthinking through her dialogues in these scenes.
Through performance and writing, Moon's ability to showcase severe mood swings is highly commendable. Moon allows Lemon's deepest insecurities and vulnerabilities to help tell a painfully honest story and renders a moving piece of theatre. Moon also employs the use of physical theatre and movement to denote how Lemon is feeling. Often paired with just music, Lemon's silence speaks volumes as she clutches to the walls, hoping to find an emotional crutch. Moon is a wonderful performer and embodies Lemon wholly.
Despite a staggeringly powerful performance by Moon, the audience are left on the outskirts, merely watching Lemon's emotional rollercoaster without being personally invested. The abstract and vague details pertaining to Lemon and Cactus' relationship keeps the audience in the dark and therefore are often at a loss.
The lighting and sound are carefully designed to enhance the unsettling sensation and to elevate Moon's performance into a gripping piece. Through the use of flashing lights and sharp sound, the piece often plays out like a thriller and this invites the audience to connect emotionally with Lemon's anxiety. Moon goes through five costume changes with her anxiety increasing with every change and this allows for a new facet of her relationship to be unearthed.
The piece delivers an inspiring message at the end and encourages audiences to seize the day and not wait for anything. It's a beautiful conclusion, but feels a little removed from the rest of the show. The Waiting Room is a startlingly accurate show that explores the effects of anxious attachment. Beautifully bizarre, it's an engaging and memorable show.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
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