Take a deep dive into a manic drug trip
no no no please no god no, nevermind I’m fine thespacetriplex (Venue 38), until 24 August
JJJJ
The title hints at how manic this piece will be, and it certainly does not disappoint. Sarina Freda is a force, as she tells the story of her lifechanging hallucinogenic experience that happened a few years ago. Almost in a TED Talk style – she assures us that we have never experienced anything quite like what she has. And she may be right.
Freda’s wit, quirkiness and boundless energy make her laugh-out-loud funny, keeping the audience enthralled at every moment. Her mime skills are particularly good, adding layers to her performance that elevate it beyond a simple recounting. And it is so much more than just a story about a druginduced trip.
What is initially a funny exploration of a drugtaking experience takes an emotional twist as we dive deeper into her mind.
Through Tom Costello’s dynamic direction, the insanity increases, the torment of inner voices builds and the line between reality and fantasy is purposely made unclear.
The multi-coloured lighting design and intense music enhances the experience, drawing us all deeper into Freda’s hallucinogenic trip and her conflicting mind. It feels almost immersive, as if we are right there with her.
At its heart, this is a show about the process of selfdiscovery. How do we unlock our power? How do we block out our inner saboteur? It explores mental health and the internal voices that can dominate our thoughts.
There are two voices which dominate Sarina, an angelic one, hilariously being the voice of Gwyneth Paltrow. The other voice is dark, scary and pushes her to extremes. Freda accurately portrays the struggle to control these constantly competing voices, highlighting the denial we sometimes experience when we convince ourselves that we have got it all figured out. Answers may not be given but the journey often is more exciting than any answer.