A witty tragicomedy about a woman’s fight to be considered alive
In 2016, French woman Jeanne Pouchain found herself unable to apply for a passport, turned away from the public health system, and forced to pay in full for her insulin. After seeking answers to these inconveniences, she discovers something shocking – she has been legally declared DEAD! Through original songs, dances, goofy antics, and heartfelt performances, Dead and Kicking tells the story of Jeanne’s quest to prove that she is alive.
I was compelled to attend the show based solely on the premise. I was initially unaware it was based on truth! Dead and Kicking is just as naughtily funny as its synopsis – and it is the four supporting actors in particular (Tilly Botsford, Rosa Collier, Larissa Crafford-Lazarus, Ezra Saifie) that deliver these divine jokes to perfection. We have them running rings around our bewildered protagonist, and finding the most absurd uses for simple props such as a debit card and disembodied computer keyboards. We have Crafford-Lazarus putting her head through a gargoyle cut-out and delivering disrespectful advice to poor Jeanne. There are laughs damn near every second, a testament to the sheer skill, confidence, and sizzling chemistry of the supporting cast!
Camilla Anvar plays Jeanne spectacularly. She displays a great deal of empathy for Jeanne – her story is as disturbing as it is funny, and this is reflected in the brilliant blend of comedy and drama in Anvar’s performance. In addition, even when the supporting actors play up their shenanigans to the maximum, Anvar is never lost in the chaos. One could say that Anvar’s stage presence is reflective of Jeanne’s fight; just as Jeanne is being shunned repeatedly, Anvar is constantly at risk of being upstaged by her fellow actors. And yet, Anvar comes in with guns blazing, showing us all that she is the story’s focus, and that Jeanne is worth fighting for. Her performance is a triumph, incredibly difficult to nail. And she nailed it!!
What with all the gags and the original songs, I was surprised Dead and Kicking was only around an hour long! The writers ensure we are always entertained, and I certainly was – my cheeks hurt from smiling so much! Dead and Kicking is a FUN play, certainly one I’d come to see again.
Dead and Kicking is also an excellent social commentary, exposing all the ways in which systems and companies screw us over. We can all relate to being told that those we seek help from “are experiencing a high volume of calls” (who is ACTUALLY telephoning a passport application office all at the same time?!). We have all felt the frustration of being told ‘no’ when we offer a solution more helpful or innovative than what the companies can come up with. Time and time again, Jeanne is denied the help that can be so easily given. Her life has been made miserable because companies refuse to break free from the limits they have placed upon themselves. They dehumanise people. Dead and Kicking calls for justice, for the audience to be frustrated as well as have a good laugh.
I’m glad that those involved in the production knew it wasn’t just a silly little thing that some woman went through. Jeanne Pouchain’s story of injustice is absolutely worth telling, and I do hope Dead and Kicking stays alive and thriving! I loved this play!
Suitable for ages 14+.
I absolutely loved the play! It was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The humour was spot-on, and the acting was truly exceptional, bringing each character to life in such a dynamic way. The dancing and singing -so full of energy and precision. It was like a cascade of emotions that swept us up in every scene. The entire production was nothing short of epic!
Highly recommend seeing it!
It was such a fun and engaging production. The girls portrayed such tragic story with such aplomb that for a moment you forget the horror of the woman’s situation. I was gripped!