I am a great fan of performance art that combines comedy with theatre and music. It’s long been a staple of the annual Edinburgh Fringe and some incredible one-woman shows have transferred to the circuit. Some of the most accomplished is the work of Bryony Kimmings.
Inspired by female stories, social taboos, and dismantling power structures Bryony made a public vow in 2021 to only work on things that would help the planet at this time of climate crisis and eco-system collapse.
Her latest show, Bog Witch, is about uncertain times, ecosystem collapse and finding new ways to be happy. I saw it in the company of my singer songwriter daughter Grace Lightman, who aptly dubbed the stunning setting as ‘STOW-HO’, the new Soho Theatre in Walthamstow. Even at a 3.00pm matinee there was a healthy audience – the Art Deco auditorium surprisingly cosy against the atmospheric staging and bleakness of some of the scenes.
Bryony has always been a documenter of personal angst touching on themes of mental illness, autism, single motherhood, and generally coping with life’s more painful twists and turns. A new life partner puts another thing on the ‘worry list’ by encouraging her to save the planet and moving to a remote tumbledown cottage to lead a more sustainable life.
Yet the unspecified ‘countryside’, which we calculated to be on the Kent/Sussex border familiar for its lushness and burgeoning viniculture, fails to fill the emotional ‘hole’ which becomes the second virtual player in the play’s narrative.
As with all her previous autobiographical shows Bog Witch is based on her real-life story to plug back into nature as a last ditch attempt to be happy again. In this she struggles to fit in, befriends the leader of the local witches coven, adopts a black cat, is lured by the mysterious bog at the back of her house and survives a disruptive storm.
The staging is epic with Bryony effortlessly changing scenes between seasons with props, costumes, projected images and sound design. Her performance is the only point of connection and it’s moving, powerful, uplifting and funny.
I loved it. So did Grace – between us we cover the spectrum, of live comedy and music so this delivered on all fronts. The venue was a spectacular added bonus. Well worth going to see a show there to marvel at the fabulous renovation of this historic art deco building.
For more information about future performances of Bog Witch and news about Bryony Kimmings visit www.bryonykimmings.com.
Check out the upcoming programme at Soho Theatre Walthamstow here.
