3

	C venues - C aquila (venue website) Theatre 2-27 Aug, 8:50pm-9:50pm Reviewed by Alice de Cent
Recommended for age 14+ only.

Inspired by the Sylvia Plath quote that gives it its title, Kiss Me And You Will See How Important I Am sees four troubled adolescents gather before an audience to share their inner thoughts, as they search to find their place in the world.

Eva O’Connor’s script is brave and dark, not shying away from extreme emotion – particularly the anger that both binds and separates the four characters. The young cast give impressive performances and Sunday’s Child are definitely a company capable of great things.

The characters speak to the audience, sometimes using a microphone to disclose their feelings. But it isn’t quite clear if the audience’s presence is felt by the characters throughout, with some scenes being conducted very much behind the fourth wall. Director Sophie Fuller may want to clear up the confusion either by using the microphone sections as the only moments the characters can see the audience, or making the audience more of a feature throughout.

The dance sequences are accomplished, but because they are the only two moments of variation on a traditional scene and soliloquy model, they stick out as being rather incongruous with the rest of proceedings.

The piece is a little troubled by the fact that it is primarily Alex’s story. Christopher, her friend’s autistic brother – who has recently come out as gay – doesn’t have an equal part in the proceedings, leaving his portrayal feeling a little contrived. So, Kiss Me And You Will See How Important I Am is an ambitious piece and still has some issues that need to be ironed out, but it is a bold offering from a promising young company.