REVIEW: AM I LOSING MY MIND OR JUST MY FIGURE? At Etcetera Theatre 17 – 19 August 2025
‘What makes the production remarkable is its balance. Nothing is showy, and in that understatement lies its brilliance.’ ★★★★★
This is a small show. It fits snugly into a 50-seater pub theatre, with one actor onstage and simple sets. The story is small too: a woman, a freelance illustrator who also takes zero-hour cycle courier shifts to make ends meet. She’s more often on her bike than with her drawings, pedalling through a world that looks familiar, almost mundane—just like our own.
The story then becomes even smaller: a “little one” carried in her tummy. Then a loss. A pregnancy. Motherhood. These “small” moments ask us: do we truly notice how such events shape our lives, or how much weight they carry? Are they really small—or do we simply avoid talking about them? We all live with scars, often brushing them aside as trivial. This show places a calm, attentive lens on those experiences, reminding us that what appears small is rarely light.
What makes the production remarkable is its balance. Nothing is showy, and in that understatement lies its brilliance. Genevieve Labuschagne’s performance is versatile yet deeply sincere. Her presence holds both fragility and humour, grounding the story in honesty. The projected illustrations flow seamlessly, adding texture without distraction. Tabby Bunyan’s design is subtle but strong, supporting the world with quiet precision.
And then there is Sam Holland-Bunyan’s direction: clear, wistful, and generous. She resists the temptation to dwell solely in the heavy or sombre, instead weaving humour and warmth throughout. Her gaze on the character—and by extension the world—is tender, perceptive, and deeply humane. Her ability to find weight in the small, while carefully balancing tone, image, and rhythm, reveals both her artistry and attention to detail.
In the end, this is a small and quiet show in a world that often shouts. It does not try to compete. It simply holds space for what matters—the everyday, the overlooked, the quietly heavy things that shape us all. That makes it a true gem of the 2025 Camden Fringe: a show for anyone who finds beauty and meaning in our so-called mundane lives.
AM I LOSING MY MIND OR JUST MY FIGURE? Camden Fringe at Etcetera Theatre 17 – 19 August 2025
BOX OFFICE https://camdenfringe.com/events/am-i-losing-my-mind-or-just-my-figure/
Presented by Untethered + Hinterland, Written by Sam Holland-Bunyan & Genevieve Labuschagne, Directed by Sam Holland-Bunyan, Performed by Genevieve Labuschagne, Designed by Tabby Bunyan.
