It is very easy to enter the Mental Health discussion with a sorrowful, even morbid, tone. Humourlessness is almost considered obligatory, given the ease with which any one person can stumble across (or seek out) offence in today’s world. Because, as we all well know, those with Mental Health issues are incapable of possessing a sense of humour. They certainly do not have that most precious, and increasingly rare, ability to laugh at one’s self.
And yet here we have a show that brought smiles, laughter and joyous tears. How dare they! How insensitive! How disgusting! How offensive!
The Fantasist is a hilarious, beautiful and utterly astonishing exploration of bipolar disorder. It is heart-warming, side-splitting and thought provoking. It is magical, yet altogether real. I have found the finest show on the Fringe. It is The Fantasist.
Focusing on the life of a young lady tormented by bipolar disorder (probably Bipolar Type I, though it is not specified), we experience her manic worlds in the shape of dancing furniture, misbehaving artwork and fantastical creatures. Whilst her doctor struggles to keep her mind from succumbing to fantasy, the true struggle arrives when fantasy and reality become non distinguishable and the monsters within become altogether too real.
Now, this may sound somewhat sinister. But I promise you, for the most part, it is anything but. I have not laughed quite so uncontrollably in a good long while. Though, that said, this is a show of many layers. You will get hit full force in the chest when you least expect it.
Blessed with a remarkably physical central performance and incredible puppet work, to pull your eyes from the stage is to declare yourself subhuman. Its charm is overpowering and hypnotic. And, it is with that, that we get a taste of our dear protagonist’s dilemma. How do you resist magic?
It is not enough for me to simply say that this was a really good show. Nor to say that it was a great one. There are no words that I can find that would truly begin to describe such an extraordinary performance. You just have to see it for yourselves.
Times:
Aug 13th - 27th (not 15th), 12.25
Tickets:
13th-14th, 16th, 20th-23rd, 27th: £8 (£7)
17th-19th, 24th-26th: £9 (£8)