“I’m a recovering Mormon”
This show written by Sean Daniels is described as a Dry Comedy about Drying Out and the ‘White Chip’ is a token given to attendees of Alcoholics Anonymous to celebrate periods of sobriety, and Steven, played brilliantly by Ed Coleman, has quite a few, which points to the fact that the journey to sobriety is not very easy at all, writes Linda Emmanuel.
Steven’s story is told with plenty of humour and in a way puts up a mirror reflecting the traits that we all have to some degree, such as making excuses for behaviour as a result of alcoholism that can be detrimental to our lives.
Some of us remember being persuaded by friends to have that sneaky first sip of alcohol in our early teens, and how we made a funny face and said ‘yuk!’ then tried it again and liked it, which brought the laughter of recognition in the audience. We then see him partying hard at college, more laughs; then he’s at lunch meetings always with a drink in hand. Then he lands the job of his dreams – being at the top of a theatre company – vodka and diet coke all the way, every day. Although he is told that he is quirky by his colleagues, he begins to recognise that he needs help, so he attends his first of many AA meetings.
This is a three-person production, with the character Steven, accompanied by two accomplished actors with the titles #1 and #2 who populate and illustrate Steven’s story with a wealth of characters from his youth, family home, love life, and career.
#1 is played by fabulous actress Mara Allen, who presented amongst other characters Steven’s Mormon mother with a fondness for dropping the ‘F’ word, and #2 is played by wonderful Ashlee Irish who took on multiple roles, including Steven’s dad who has Parkinson’s Disease.
I left this play thanking Sean Daniels for sharing his truths and insight into how destructive alcohol can be for those who use it to self-medicate, the mental health challenges that come with it, and that every “White Chip” earned should be celebrated. It is indeed the hardest journey anyone can find themselves on, and the fact that this story is told with humour and compassion is a gift that builds empathy.
The staging by Lee Newby is a simple black box with chairs propped at the back of the stage with tables in front, much like one finds in any community centre, upon the tables are the props which are used to build the visual representations of the spaces in which each chapter of the story takes place. Lighting is by Jamie Platt and Sound design is by Max Pappenheim.
Southwark Playhouse Borough until 16th August.
Booking and full details: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/the-white-chip/
