Review: TICK BOX OTHER at Theatre503 11-12 July 2022

‘Tick Box Other was an enjoyable evening … a stirring reminder that women have much to say’

Is a life without kids a full one? TICK BOX OTHER’s compilation of one-act plays does not beat around the bush. Centred around women who will not or cannot have children, it asks questions all women past the age of 20 will have to face at some point in their lives, and even sometimes publicly answer.

First up, ‘IS THIS A TEST?’ by Karen Reed.

After a fruitful one-night stand, a woman panic dials her best mate to come round and bring along a pregnancy test. Unable to secure one this late at night, the two resolve to making their own with kitchen supplies. As they await the results, the woman questions her life choices, pondering whether she will come to regret not having kids later in life.

Reed’s piece is hilarious and beautifully crafted. Aside from a lengthy final scene a tad on the nose about picking your own regrets, not a moment goes to waste. This high-paced comedy stands out with its imagination, attention to detail and delightful dynamics between the two piss-takers. A non-stop riot of laughter and physical comedy.

Next, ‘BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND SOCIAL MEDIA’ by Nicola Rockhill takes us to every woman’s favourite party spot - the ladies’ bathroom. At a friend’s wedding, a woman confides in strangers about the bittersweetness of watching her friends move forward with their lives and start families.

This solo piece dives deep into themes of isolation and mental wellbeing, with a series of poignant observations on social media and the distress constant self-promotion of one’s ‘best life’ inflicts on those who aren’t as fortunate with their personal endeavours.

Lastly, ‘NO ISSUE’ by Catriona Clancy follows one woman and her inner critic as they navigate conversational minefields with some of the lass’s closest relations - her best friend, her mum and her therapist. All three women are adamant about the biological and moral duty of every woman in the perpetuation of the human race. I was less taken by this piece which depicted mostly well-known cliches of societal pressure on child-free women. It failed to offer the nuances or fresh perspectives the first two pieces did and painted the woman’s relations mostly as lobotomized members of a child-bearing cult. 

Overall, Tick Box Other was an enjoyable evening, sometimes a stirring reminder that women have much to say, yet still so few people to listen to them.

‘Tick Box Other' was being presented by Theatre 503 on 11th and 12th July, as part of their summer shorts season.

https://theatre503.com/whats-on/tick-box-other-2/

Reviewed by Kervi Gavet