Work It Out: A Comedic Combination of Inner Demons, Camaraderie, and Dancing.
Week one at a new community fitness class. Six group members in attendance - under duress, and as mandated by relevant professionals. Alice, the naive yet enthusiastic class leader, has her work cut out to bring this group together.
As Alice, Elizabeth Twells, bounds onto the stage with effervescent energy. Bordering on ‘Children’s TV Presenter’ levels, her spirit is both infectious and farcical. The audience laughs uproariously whilst also admiring her unending determination and encouragement.
As the weeks roll on, parody and finger-pointing give way to a shared sense of liberation. Dancing, thrusting, and sharing in synchronised movement helps each of the group members to face their personal demons. It’s a narrative arc that fills the theatre with warmth and celebration.
The set, by designer Katie Scott, is an uncanny replica of an all-purpose community centre hall. It remains unchanging, leaving the calendar gobo and subtle evolutions in characterisation to mark the passing of time.
Over the span of just a few months, this story touches upon every inch of the human experience. Whether tackled head-on, or carefully implied, themes span mental and physical afflictions, and the unfair societal structures that often exacerbate them. Each character travels their own trajectory, sadly sometimes in opposite directions to one another.
Eve Steele’s script leaves some characters with distinctly more to say than others. With barely a word spoken in the first act, Eva Scott conveys a palpable discomfort, which quietly tiptoes towards confidence over the course of the show.
Meanwhile, Eve Steele herself takes to the stage as Siobhan, a significantly more verbose member of the group who battles addiction through disassociation. Steele’s intricately detailed performance is immediately recognisable and upsettingly familiar.
The dance sequences that punctuate the show are incredibly charming and often performed with hilariously straight-faces. Sarah Frankcom’s direction, paired with choreography by Jenni Jackson, creates these islands of fun amongst some difficult storylines. Importantly, there is always a sense that we’re laughing with the group; if anything, I was desperate to join the class!
The musicality of the show steps up several notches when Shaq, played masterfully by Dominic Coffey, opens the second act. His solo performance makes you grin, awestruck and inspired as this once timid wallflower embraces his ticks to the reassuring lyrics of Radiohead’s Creep.
Coffey also takes on the role of BSL translator, tirelessly signing conversations to make Rebecca (played with impressive physicality by Raffie Julien) feel more included. Where once we saw a collection of insular attendees, now we see a strong support network.
The onstage dedication to inclusivity for BSL users also helps the production to cross the fourth wall. We are inescapably confronted with the adaptations that we all ought to make for a truly inclusive society.
Supporting this bridge between the cast and audience, Aaron McCusker serves up universal home truths as the team’s straight-talking, up-for-anything de facto leader, Rob. It would be tough for anyone to disagree with his direct approach, relatable insights, and charming Scottish slang.
Meanwhile, from the other Celtic isles, Eithne Browne clearly has a lot of fun in her caricatured role as the griping Irish grandmother of the group. There’s an endearing yet hysterical echo of Father Ted in the air around Marie.
Though the individual performances strike a beautiful balance between comedy and drama, it is the wider group dynamic that triumphs. Each individual brings a unique sense of playfulness to chip away at the initially tense atmosphere. Watching relationships bloom amongst this collection of diverse misfits, we can’t help but smile.
Billed as ‘a sharply funny drama about everything but exercise’, Work It Out certainly delivers in swathes. You’ll laugh, you’ll likely cry, and you’ll leave with an enduring feeling that we needn’t share exactly the same experiences to be able to identify with and support one another.
Work It Out plays at HOME, Manchester until Saturday 16th March. For tickets and more information, visit the HOME website.
If you have been affected by any of the issues depicted in the show, HOME have provided relevant aftercare resources and recommendations.
For more insight into the types of thought-provoking and inspiring theatre you can expect to see at HOME, take a look at our archive of theatre reviews from HOME, MCR.
