Issy Cory
From atop the scaffolding that still surrounds her church’s newly refurbished steeple, Sheridan begins talking to God. Relaying the struggles she feels as a carer for her daughter, Joelle, and her fears about the church potentially closing down, she yearns for answers.
Following the death of her husband Emil, Sheridan feels as though she cannot care for Joelle as well as her late partner once did. After relaying a particularly stressful day to her vicar, Sheridan’s custody of Joelle is threatened. Will she be able to continue caring for her child, or will the Multiple Agency Safeguarding Hub rule that she is unfit?
Scaffolding makes up the staging within the show. It contains different levels and has areas to drape typical village-fete bunting and old dust sheets. It is the stage that Sheridan uses throughout the show, however, the purpose of her being on there? We’re still figuring that one out.
Thus, the acting space for Suzanna Hamilton, playing Sheridan, was limited. Still, the varying levels of scaffolding were barely touched, leading to questions as to why those elements were added.
Scene changes felt awkward as they occurred without any trigger to push the momentum on, and they failed to communicate time passing or a location change. Opportunities for physical movement during these interludes were frequently missed, resulting in a stilted solo performer waiting expectantly for the next scene to begin.
As the audience are spoken to like God, Sheridan asks a mighty amount of questions. Whilst it could be seen as an interesting take on the stability of faith in the face of struggle, the repeated questioning becomes monotonous.
The alienating components of this piece meant that the hard-hitting issues within it were even harder for the audience to invest in. Stories about carers, and the hopelessness they can feel, are necessary, but they need to convince us of that fact regardless of context.
There are moments of lighthearted-ness. The odd funny quip or the thrill of Sheridan and Joelle sneaking onto the church’s land after it has been claimed by developers are considerate attempts to bring us into the story. Nevertheless, Scaffolding has a lot more building to do to arrive at the finished product.
Recommended Drink: Communion Wine.
You can catch Scaffolding at Pleasance Dome – Jack Dome from Aug 17-26 at 17:40. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
Phoebe Bakker
Jake Mace
