From writer Rebecca Douglass, I’m Allergic to People is a dark and poignant look at how we as a society judge people’s behaviors and actions.
From writer Rebecca Douglass and directed by Caterina Siano, I’m allergic to people is a
dark and insightful look at people’s lives with a few twists and turns.
A simple stage of four chairs and tables re-arranged throughout is the setting for the plot of four people’s lives, intertwined by their issues and traumas, none of which anyone has healed. The re-arranging at times did take away from the flow, but it was handled as best as it could with it being built into the character’s movements, and given the limited space, you still understood the setting the characters were in.
As the story unravels, we see each character’s flaws and insecurities with all too real relatable situations and a poignant look at how we as a society judge people’s behaviors and actions. The use of sound effects added a bit of realism and was used to highlight some comical moments, whilst red and blue lighting highlighted poignant emotions.
What was interesting about this piece is how reflective it was, not only the character’s self-reflection of their actions and the consequences of some but also how it comments on how society takes victim blaming rather than the perpetrator being held accountable. There were a few scenes with the four actors speaking lines of very real and relatable comments and opinions that we have no doubt either seen play out in the media or on socials regarding the treatment of women in society and sexual harassment. It highlighted, for me, how toxic society has become. It was an interesting take as it almost takes you out of the play and into the real world and makes you reflect on the themes that are being explored.
Amongst the toxic personalities and insecurities, there are funny moments that sometimes felt like they weren’t as humorous as intended, and I could get that sense from the actors. However, the moments that landed were very relatable. The play dipped in the middle, and perhaps the heaviness of the themes began to weigh. Still, there is a surprising secret from one of the characters (I guessed wrong; I thought it was another character behind something). Things ended with the resolution, but it also unintentionally commented on how toxic and careless some women can be while looking at the other side of the coin on how men are treated.
This is an interesting piece that delves a little deeper into sexual harassment, how and why violence towards women is always played down, and how people construct narratives for their own benefit with life-changing consequences, resulting in the question as to why some people are reluctant to face their sexual identity.