Review: PICKLE JAR, Soho Theatre

How do you keep everything together, when everything around you is falling apart? Life's complicated - that's for sure - and for our central character in this story, balancing teaching, romance and adulthood is just a bit too much to handle. Maddie Rice has written and performs in Pickle Jar, a multi-layered investigation into the highs and lows of being a grown up.

Fresh off her UK and international tour of Fleabag, it's nice to see Rice perform in her original material. This suits her well; there's a lovely naturalness to the entire performance, and a genuine authentic voice that comes through. There's a lot that's been packed in to this narrative, however it all seamlessly weaves together.

Rice's teacher character seeks to identify with her students - she wants to be the cool one, advising on sex education and morality. She does this whilst balancing her own love life and ethical choices, which we become aware of by her retelling the stories of the boozy nights in a Guildford club with her Irish best mate.

Kate Pesskin directs with a precise intention, keeping everything clean and simple, thus allowing the writing to be the star. Therefore, the real message comes through loud and clear: women can still be to blame for their own sexual assault, and the shame of what happens - brought on by societal pressure - could prevent survivors coming forward, and perpetrators being brought to justice.

There's a really impressive balance of light and shade in this, and Rice does well to pitch the tone correctly throughout. She intertwines humour, heartbreak and wit to create an arc that takes the audience on a thrilling journey. There's suspense and hilarity, all underscored with a hint of danger. It's a real dramaturgical achievement.

Pickle Jar at the Soho Theatre until 10 November

Photo courtesy of the company.

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