Pricks – Darlington Hullabaloo
Calling all StageSider’s, welcome back to another review here at StageSideUK. This time, we are talking about PRICKS… the medical kind, the life saving kind… and sometimes the other kind.
Jade Byrne tours PRICKS around the country with the aim to share her story, educate audiences about Diabetes and to raise awareness about the different types and the people that live their lives with diabetes. Using poetry, soundscape, recorded story telling, acting and interaction, Jade manages to take you through the life of someone with diabetes, or rather the life of a few people who have diabetes. Jade, and a selection of other people, tell their story using many different artistic techniques, and by the end of the show, I felt I better understood Diabetes, the life of someone with diabetes and also the discrimination and harrasment someone with diabetes can encounter.
The whole piece is paced well. From start to finish you re engaged, spoken to (not at) and you can easily follow along with the ‘plot’. The content is simple, ordinary and mundane in the way I believe Jade had intended. There are no mythical beasts or angels or deep metaphors that lose the audience. There is just a girl, a supportive family and a story of how this woman manages with Diabetes.
Some of the stories about her interactions with family were amazing to hear. The support she had received and the fun (but sometimes dangerous) adventures she had as a child / teen provided a break from the seriousness of the show. It was good to hear from other people too, about their experiences with diabetes.
I did find the acting of being a child a little too over the top, but I think for the juxtaposition, realising a child is testing their own blood for diabetes, it worked. I just think I would have preferred another artistic mode of communication here. Even if it was puppetry with the Dennis doll, or a complete routine that showed someone finding out. I don’t know. I am glad that Jade stuck to what she wanted to do and you can tell that all of the content is something she feels passionate about.
Outside of this performativity, sat a whole bucket of truth and honesty. As the evening went on, the layers of performance seemed to vanish and a rather real, raw and emotional storytelling occurred. I am really glad that I went to see PRICKS and I hope that the short film goes ahead!
Now onto the ratings!
Entertainment:
This show had me engaged from the start to the end. Yes there were moments where I didn’t really enjoy the performance mode, but I think it was also nice to see someone perform a show that was born out of passion and experience rather than just choosing to act juvenile for a bit of banter. Jade clearly wants you to have a good night, however that may look for you. Whether it is a night of sadness, happiness, relatability or just seeing a show and then going home with no response to it at all, it is nice to see that the performer is actually there performing their story how they want to, and ensuring that you don’t feel spoken at or disengaged. Jade really does go above and beyond in terms of her interaction, connection and even just the space feels welcoming. I think if you’re looking for a short piece of theatre, that isn’t too far fetched, isn’t flowery and isn’t a long winded version of all the other stories we already know, then PRICKS is a show you may enjoy. I will give the show four stars out of five for entertainment.
Value for money
This show cost £8 at my local theatre… £8 for an hour and a bit of entertainment, story telling, technicians time, an actor performing… £8. I think this is a really affordable show and you get so much for your money. Whilst it isn’t the most spectacular or the most bedazzled show, I don’t think that is the mark of affordability or value for money. I came away feeling like I had paid for the time of the actor (though I got the ticket for free from the Hippodrome). It was a great show for a great price. I give the show five out of five stars.
Accessibility
This show contains some touching moments that may affect those who are in a similar situation. There are also pre recordings and moments of interaction and participation. If this isn’t your cup of tea or if you are overwhelmed by interaction, then this show may not be for you. It wasn’t advertised, and I wasn’t made aware of interaction or participation, but it was a moment towards the end of the show and it didn’t have a huge impact on me. It is really just wearing some glasses that they give you.
Overall
Overall I had a good night at the theatre, I was entertained, and I feel like i got what I expected. While there were moments that were lost on me and I didnt have that moment of relatability, it was great to be educated and to be in a room with so many people who could relate to the show. If you want a night at the theatre that isn’t taxing, fake or under developed, then PRICKS could be a good night out at the theatre. I give the show four out of five stars!
Have your say!
Have you seen PRICKS, what did you think? Let me know in the comments and let’s get a discussion going.
As always, please be respectful of each other’s opinions and be kind to each other. I completely respect and value everyone that worked on this show. We need to remember that these are people with feelings. Let’s treat them with respect. Bullying will not be tolerated and harmful language will be removed.
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