Squidge at Riverside Studios Review
Written by Becky for Theatre and Tonic.
Disclaimer: Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review. All views are our own
Sometimes, when a good script is performed simply, it can create an unforgettable moment of theatre. Tiggy Bayley does just that in her one-woman show, ‘Squidge’ at Riverside Studios.
Tagged as ‘a dark comedy about the flaws in our education system and finding love against all odds’, the narrative follows Daisy, who begrudgingly takes on the job of a teaching assistant. While navigating her own grief and sadness, she is tasked at work to help Paddy, a young traveller who has behavioural issues with his reading. Their unlikely friendship begins to grow, where Daisy understands Paddy’s behaviour more, and in fact realises that they have more in common than she originally thought.
The character of Daisy is a slow-burner, but her dry sense of humour and relatability wins you over, with Bayley portraying her excellently. The direct script showcases her thoughts and actions at every stage of her journey; a similar style you would see in ‘Fleabag’ and other famous one-person shows. Her blunt delivery is refreshingly funny, maintaining a deadpan characterisation throughout. This ultimately created a really clear understanding of Daisy’s character, bringing a solid level of empathy to her performance.
It’s the emotional moments where Bayley’s script really succeeds. Her portrayal of grief and everyday anxiety is paced perfectly, where she would draw you in to a perfectly normal, sometimes wholesome, scenario such as a singing classroom yet hit you with raw, physical emotion. You learn in the show that Daisy and Paddy are both experiencing grief, where Bayley shows the understanding between them both with authenticity. Squidge was not a production I thought would make me cry, but her direct delivery that’s seen in her humour is also in her emotivity, adding tear-jerking poignancy to the narrative.
All Bayley needed was a school chair, coat and coat hanger to immerse the audience into Daisy’s world, which is the sign of a very good script. Performing at Riverside Studios until 29th March, Squidge is a statement show highlighting not only the intrinsic power of storytelling, but how human connection and caring for one another can create sparks of hope when you need them most.
★★★★
