“My Sunshine in the sunshine” announces the Man as he makes his way towards his partner lounging on the beach. Well not really as it’s f****** Rhyl, as witnessed by the direction sign above another which seems to read along the lines of “you don’t speak Welsh”, in Welsh.
He has been off beachcombing the unpromising beach and finding items ranging from beer cans to condoms and an incongruous giant pink flamingo pool toy.
The woman is clearly bored, wishing her brain to be fed as she recounts food memories, meals made by her Nan or a birthday cake by her Mum. Her cherished remembrances revolve around idiosyncratic dishes involving Tabasco, big honest plates of take it or leave it. The couple have a history of weird and easy loving banter but even that is growing thin.
As she stands it’s apparent that she is heavily pregnant, and it feels like she has been for all of eternity. She’s a straight talking and dynamic woman, pissed off at her current situation and if she knew how to leave she would. Decisions around her maternal instincts are complicated and don’t sit easily.
The question is why is she pregnant and what does this beach represent – is it hope?
A sort of dark existential and absurdist romantic comedy the show looks at relationships, motherhood and grief. This short debut piece is a bit of a work in progress and could be developed into something longer. As it stands it’s a little unfocussed and early exposition of the answers to the central question leaves it somewhat beached with nowhere to go.
As a first outing it’s reasonable and shows promise.
Show Times: 3 to 10 August 2024 at 11.40am.
Tickets: £7 (£5).
Suitability: 16+ (contains strong language and subjects of grief and abortion).