Writer/performer Abigail Weinstock sets herself quite the challenge at the beginning of this quirky new solo play, by establishing her character Eliana (“it’s Hebrew for honesty,” she lies to anyone who asks) as someone who stands accused of placing recording equipment in her female neighbour’s house in order to observe her. It’s a charge Eliana readily accepts, because she’s a sociopath; or at least that’s what everyone tells her, remarking unkindly that she’s “dead behind the eyes”.
Faced with the implementation of a permanent restraining order, which will result in having to leave her father and unsympathetic stepmother’s house as it’s within the exclusion zone, Eliana temporarily moves in with a family friend on the pretext that she can help with childcare. As potentially catastrophic a situation as this sounds, she discovers the young girl she’s helping with is the only one who comes close to understanding her.
From such an unsympathetic opening position, Weinstock and director Emma Jude Harris craft a funny and eventually heart-warming semi-autobiographical (to Weinstock) tale about how people whose personality traits don’t make for instant connection with others need love and understanding too. Eliana’s eventual new understanding of why she acts the way she does and how she edits her personality to fit what she believes is expected of her will doubtless hit a chord with many.
Giraffe, Pleasance Courtyard, until 31 Aug, 1.45pm