ED FRINGE 2023 REVIEW | Wonder Drug: A Comedy About Cystic Fibrosis
★ ★ ★ ★
Reviewer - Emmie
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
Charlie Merriman sets his heartfelt and brilliantly executed comedy amongst a backdrop of unforgettable 80s hits. Merriman uses his own diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis to educate his audiences around the condition, adding a heavy sprinkle of comedy and you’ll leave the space knowing a little bit more about it. The storyline takes place around the pandemic, although Charlie’s journey continues beyond the constraits of that time period and its so important that this has been acknowledge like it is. The introduction of the “wonder drug” is a glimmer of hope and we experienced every once of the emotions Charlie along the way.
Merriman uses a variation of props and signs in order for him to navigate his audiences around the storyline. He has done his best not to present a production which is all light and grace, but in fact deals with the heavy stuff too like how this condition can impact a person’s mental health. As someone who lost a friend to Cystic Fibrosis, it brings it very close to home why talking about conditions like this matters in a theatre space. Its more than what documentaries can do and it enables us to have a laugh along the way!
Wonder Drug is brilliantly crafted by Charlie Merriman and I urge you to experience this insightful (and hilarious) piece of comedy.
At Pleasance Courtyard until 20 August and then between 22-28.
