Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tickets and more information: https://sohotheatre.com/shows/pickle-jar/
Booking until: 10th November 2018
Production Photos by: Ali Wright

Having previously performed in a UK tour of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s one woman monologue Fleabag, actress and writer Maddie Rice has brought her own original one woman monologue to the Soho Theatre. Rice’s piece follows a school teacher as she juggles the pressures of teaching and dating while trying to push through heartbreak after heartbreak.

In the 70 minute run time, Maddie Rice is captivating. Not just because she’s the only person on the stage, but her ability to change between characters through accents and physicality shows just how expertly skilled she is. Because I really felt the characters in the room with the audience. From her Irish best mate to a posh school counselor to her students, Rice’s talent to make all of the characters come alive is superb.

Going hand in hand with a brilliant comedic yet handles serious topics like sexual assault and suicide with sensitivity, Rice’s script was really well written. Although at times the anecdotes took a while to come back on themselves, the pay off is definitely worth it. Particularly with a plot twist that made my jaw drop. Some debut plays are hit or misses and this is definitely a fantastic hit of a play.

Alice Halifax’s set design is minimal but packs a punch when the story arc reaches the climax along with Mark Dymock’s transporting lighting design. Considering this play is on in the tiny Upstairs performance space, Rice’s ability to create a whole world in a small space excites me to see what she creates next.

Until next time,