Dust Takes A Masterful Look At Life From The Other Side
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Alice, the central character of Dust, is dead, looking on as the aftermath of her suicide causes unexpected reactions. Don't expect Patrick Swayze style saucy potters' wheels or James Stewart's revelations about how wonderful life is, though. This is certainly not one of those kinds of stories. Life for Alice hasn't been wonderful at all due to crippling depression. Sounds like the bleakest show ever? Thankfully, at the hands of writer/performer Milly Thomas this is a compelling story that has raw humour and is half gut wrenchingly sad and half gut achingly funny.
She's a 21st century woman who just happens to have been suffering from intractable depression. She's also totally relatable. Embarrassing relatives, uncomfortable sex and a boyfriend with a penis that looks like a five year olds' drawing of a mushroom: who hasn't experienced one (or all) of the above?
Occasionally gross, always candid and eminently likeable, it's hard not to root for Alice, even though you know what's coming for her. This is a rarely innovative handling of a sensitive subject with all the taboos ripped away. The whole run is currently sold out but make a desperate bid for returns. This is unmissable.
Dust, Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, W1D 3NE. Until 17 March
Last Updated 27 February 2018
