Meeting Myself Coming Back

Synopsis

Catherine has too much to say - so many inside words - but can't speak. In the last 8 years the only outside words she has uttered are 'thank you'. On the eve of her 21st birthday, Catherine revisits her childhood home and finally faces the disturbing truth of her savage past. And begins to speak... Meeting Myself Coming Back is an extraordinary funny play about isolation and the fight of survival.

Our Review:

22 July 2002

There is something breathtaking about the Soho Theatre's newly commissioned play, Meeting Myself Coming Back, not least the standard of the writing. Kerry Hood's startling piece is a remarkable tribute to Soho's commitment to new work.

Twenty-one-year-old Catherine hasn't spoken since she was 13. She returns to her childhood home for the first time since losing her voice and begins to talk, telling the story of her life. It's a story not only of an excruciatingly savage past but of a daily timetable of silence, her only attempted external communication a smattering of mouthed "thank you's". As a result, life has become a routine of Safeways and cleaning at the Community Centre "where you can learn to love Jesus or line-dancing."

Beautifully played by Joanna Holden, Catherine's love of words belies her silence; she is enchanted by etymology and books. Sharp and witty, her observations about the world around her are delightfully funny (the Diana Princess ...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com - 24 September 2002:

saw this on the last night. had no expectations. this is real theatre. you have to listen and watch as the actress looks right at you and challenges your perceptions about life and language. it is funny but i agree with the reviewer - it isn't supposed to be a comedy. it should get awards for performance and direction. at least it doesn't follow the formula of West End shows...

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