“How to get through an uncomfortable day”, according to the fantastical creativity of an autistic woman!
Suitable for ages 14+.
Before we even take our seats, we are given two choices à la The Matrix (1999). When we find ourselves in a tough situation, do we choose the red M&M – face the problem head-on – or the blue M&M – avoid the problem entirely? Though it initially seems like a fun little activity, one we don’t really have to participate in, our choices determine both the trajectory of this play and the message we walk away with. So in I walk, dropping a red M&M into a plastic box filled with a mixture of red and blue sweets, and sit down, hoping that the decision I made really was reflective of my character. A lot of us would like to believe we are confrontational. Merely staying alive in a world full of tough situations is a form of confrontation, is it not?
Everyone’s Worried About Eve is a delightful amalgamation of Miranda-esque comedy and riveting drama, exploring the many facets of ‘confrontation’. We are introduced to Eve (Alex John), an autistic woman navigating frightening social situations while grieving the death of her twin sister. Eve navigates her life by pretending it is a sitcom, her inner voice serving as the producer while we are her live studio audience. The play is both hilariously and painfully relatable, highlighting the ways in which we escape confrontation. We laugh at the lengths Eve goes to avoid answering uncomfortable questions, while at the same time being curious about what her truth is.
Alex John is funny and confident. She clearly enjoys being on the stage and interacting with us! Everyone’s Worried About Eve feels quite homely, in a way, like watching that one theatrically-inclined family member putting a show on for everyone in the living room. Just as our M&M vote as we walk into the room matters, so does our capacity to sit and enjoy the show. And John makes sure we do, not letting a single second go to waste.
It would be slightly better if certain elements of the play were explained or referenced – why is Eve talking into an unplugged microphone? Is this a documentary-style sitcom, or are the nerve-racking situations Eve finds herself in somewhat artificial? But then again, perhaps it allows for the audience to impose their own interpretations onto the story. Sometimes, when the going gets just a bit too tough, the best way of confronting the problem is to take it easy, baby steps, in the form of a sitcom. Everyone’s Worried About Eve is an intelligent play, and John is a wonderful actor. Kudos to all involved!
The votes were counted by John at the end of the play, by the way. There were more red M&Ms in the plastic box than blue.
“Stay confrontational.”