Review - the inventive, fun and moving Wonder Drug: A Comedy About Cystic Fibrosis, Omnibus Theatre (Edinburgh preview)
19/07/2023
Wonder Drug: A Comedy About Cystic Fibrosis is more than its title suggests.
Writer and performer Charlie Merriman, who has cystic fibrosis (CF), takes us back to March 2020 when he's been told that a new drug treatment is coming; he just needs to stay healthy. Charlie has also just met a woman he likes on an acting job who shares his love of 80s music.
But then the first COVID lockdown hits.
Having CF, which affects the lungs and digestive system, means he's at high risk and needs to shelter.
He mixes up his monologue with puppets, game show elements, audience prompt cards, impressions, rewriting famous song lyrics and snatches of 80s pop. He also gives his various treatments and drugs characters with different voices to distinguish them.
It's funny, fun and even silly in places, but the play doesn't shy away from the seriousness of CF, particularly when there is a highly infectious virus going around which affects the lungs.
We see the psychological impact of the condition - his doctor, whose voice we hear always asks if he wants counselling.
And then there is the stress of the pandemic, self-administered treatments and treatments not working as they should. How much should he tell Sarah his girlfriend with whom he is maintaining a virtual relationship?
Wonder Drug: A Comedy About Cystic Fibrosis is inventive, laugh-out-loud funny and moving, and I'm giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half.
I was given a review ticket.
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Wonder Drug: A Comedy About Cystic Fibrosis - details
I saw Wonder Drug: A Comedy About Cystic Fibrosis as an Edinburgh preview at the Omnibus Theatre.
Details for the Edinburgh run:
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard (Upstairs), 12.30 pm
Running time: 60 mins without an interval
Booking from 2-28 Aug; for more information and to buy tickets, visit the Wonder Drug play website
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