Fantastic Writing Shines Through In Drip Feed At Soho Theatre
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Karen Cogan’s monologue is at first sight an unappealing prospect. Brenda, a messed up thirty-something gay woman in late 1990s Cork, navigates life with chaotic aplomb and a lot of ennui. She’s stalking her ex-girlfriend, claiming the dole while working in a dead end job and dreaming of living in Paris. The plot centres on her going on a large, and not at all in charge, night out in one of Cork’s finest bars. It's not exactly bristling with dramatic tension.
What sets this apart and raises the bar on the monologue genre is Cogan’s writing. She’s got a beguiling lyrical style that sucks you in and grips you tight. Whether she’s describing her sister’s lipstick leaching into new wrinkles, seductively performing cunnilingus on her ex or waking up hungover, it all becomes a thing of beauty. She’s witty, concise and her well-chosen words are rich with meaning. Brenda’s also an endearing but frustrating character. Cogan is fresh from winning another clutch of awards and with writing and performing of this quality it’s not hard to see why her star is in ascendance.
Drip Feed, Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, W1D 3NE. Tickets £16-18, until 20 October 2018.
Last Updated 27 September 2018
