Nomad

• Gareth K Vile
• 24 August 2018

This article is from 2018.

A slight tale of early life crisis

Within a fringe populated by theatre grasping at big ideas and serious issues, Nomad feels inconsequential. Laura reached thirty, has a crisis about career, absent boyfriend and best friend and reflects on her life so far. Unfortunately, Laura has had to cope with going to university, wanting to be a photographer and seeing a bride in Delhi. This isn't enough for a compelling script.

The lack of depth to Laura's context removes any hope that Nomad can rise above a generic solo monologue with a few video effects. There are gestures towards the challenges of a working class childhood which are rapidly dispelled by supportive parents, an attempt to explore the tension between creative ambition and financial stability and a vague anxiety about a lover who seems to care more about his dog than his partner but none of these become weighty. A solid central performance that incorporates physical theatre interludes helps to sketch a recognisable character, but the importance of various incidents – having to work as a temp, or spotting the bride in Delhi – are vague and only emphasise the script's limited vision.

theSpace @Surgeons Hall, until 25 Aug, 6.15pm, £8 (£6).