Am I Losing My Mind or Just My Figure? – Camden Fringe – Theatre Review
London is home to many diverse sub-cultures which provides it with that dynamic edge but, the lifestyle of the bicycle courier is perhaps an aspect that has not been unearthed, until now! Step forward Fin, the female courier at the centrepoint of the one woman thrillingly emotive ride that is the show, Am I Losing My Mind or Just My Figure?
Indeed, the title may not trip off the tongue easily or may intrigue as a headline from a supermarket shelf’s woman’s periodical or even a Judy Blume novel but believe it or not this is a show that rises like a phoenix from the ashes to astounding effect catapulting the captivating Genevieve Labuschagne, as Fin, to the front of theatre’s walk of fame.
Fin is one of London’s invisible zero-hour contract workers trying to make ends meet and we are taken on this journey through the highs and lows of her work, life and love. She resonates with music by Melanie Safka which serves to provide an emotional backdrop to Fin’s anguish interspersing loving and losing amidst the frenzy of weaving through London’s traffic.
All of which, Labuschagne effortlessly conveys within a minimal stage using a chair, candles, cycle helmet and a few other props to illustrate the frenetic lifestyle of a courier, which is go, go,go! Plus, the casual reference to various London streets such as Manor Park Road in East Ham is bound to create that connection with Londoners familiar with the traffic build ups and frustrations in trying to navigate London’s diverse neighbourhoods.
Co-written by Labuschagne, this edition of the play which unveiled itself during the Camden Fringe festival, at the intimate Etcetera Theatre, is both an adaptation and a re-working of the 2001 play of the same title that burst on to the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Sam Holland-Bunyan was the author of the earlier incarnation and on this occasion, shares the writing credits with Labuschagne. The strong writing is indeed a standout feature within the play with a well-written, raw script supporting Labuschagne’s tour de force, dynamic performance.
It cannot be an easy activity oscillating between the emotional spectrum of a carefree courier’s life which crescendos to a dramatic life upheaval further accentuating that theme of invisible women. The play’s title in itself, highlights society’s lack of consideration towards impending parenthood. Its dramatic shift in tone further illustrates the highs and lows that women may battle alone. Yet, despite the solitary stage presence, Fin is not alone and there are romantic partnerships who prefer to remain in the background but are not proffering the requisite support, which is bound to elicit nods of recognition from affected audience members.
As such, the play presents further degrees of feminism, all of which Labuschagne takes in her stride. The directional presence seems minimal with Labuschagne taking full control of her stage positions and blocking to engage audiences with direct gazes and the occasional breaking of the fourth wall. The initial sensation of the play being akin to a one-person comedy sketch, with that direct interaction with the audiences, sheds its brash veneer to unveil an emotional, mature portrayal simultaneously charting Fin’s evolution and realisations.
Labuschagne, too, has undertaken that metamorphosis from appearing within Imaginary Natural Beings within the Camden Fringe, in 2023, as a chilly mother to conveying the uncertainty and mental anguish of a young woman having to contemplate motherhood. It is thrilling to watch her development as she commands the stage with this powerful rendition whilst impressively playing multiple characters.
Humorous, authentic and filled with emotion, Am I Losing My Mind … carries the audience along its unstoppable beat. The play is a testament to the power of strong performances combined with gripping writing within female led projects. Labuschagne is also one of those actors to keep on your radar as she continues to innovate and disrupt conventional theatrical and film landscapes with intriguing projects, which is a thoroughly welcomed breath of fresh air.
