emotive monologue
Sophie tells us doesn’t even want a baby, and thinks pregnant women look grim. So what has led her to her current predicament, after she’s caught stealing one?
Writer and performer Beth Mullen’s “A Minor Theft” follows Sophie over the course of one fateful day, as her story unfolds and her world unravels. In a set dressed only with a chair and a pushchair, we meet Sophie, who addresses the audience directly in an engrossing fourth-wall breaking monologue.
The script is tightly woven, running to 45 minutes, and there are shades of Alan Bennet’s Talking Heads here, with an off-kilter protagonist rooted in everyday life. Through layers of comedy and pathos, we learn about Sophie’s family life, through her interactions with Clementine, the baby with whom she bonds and abducts, in an attempt to rescue her from her perceived neglect.
Evocative descriptions of locations immerse the audience in Sophie’s world, but above all else, it’s the performance of Beth as Sophie that is utterly magnetic. A compelling combination of observational Northern humour, casual asides, and deep-seated grief means you can’t tear your eyes away from her for a second; the emotional tumult is palpable as the plot progresses. The richness of the character contrasts sharply with the sparseness of the set design. I can’t help but want to know more about Sophie – she’s such a well-rounded and personable character, that you feel you know her within the first five minutes. Her earnestness and at times heart-rending naivety, will find you actively willing her to find peace and resolution in her life, despite her misguided actions.
“A Minor Theft” is an emotional and thought-provoking work, that deserves to be seen more widely, and one that fans of well-crafted characters will adore.
Beth Mullen’s A Minor Theft runs until 16th August, at 13:05 at ZOO Playground. Tickets can be bought from: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/a-minor-theft