The Extraordinary Life of a Rat Racer at Etcetera Theatre 7 – 10 March & Bridge House Theatre 21 - 25 April 2026
‘unique and deeply relatable, told through striking images and relentless dark humour’ ★★★ ½
In this two-hander dark comedy, tackling mental health issues, we are invited inside the mind and intrusive thoughts of Eva’s mind (Chiara Fumanti), guided by a mysterious evil figure called Arthur (Andrea Guerini).
Eva is a young, single mother, torn between trying to find a new, better paid job, filling her duties as a mother, and dealing with her own mother’s constant criticizing. On top of that, Eva has been through a traumatic event, leaving her to battle with persistent intrusive thoughts, personified in the character of Arthur.
The storytelling is original, inventive and full of humour: a great mix of tools that instantly invites the audience to care, and fully empathise with what Eva is going through. Arthur’s vivid, gore and grotesque descriptions are both scarily compelling and terribly funny. The use of balloons within the show is brilliant and an effective way to build the tension, as the audience wonders when the next will pop…
While the biggest strength of this show seems to be the incredible energy and character embodiment from Andrea Guerini, the fast tempo of the piece makes it a little hard to follow in some places. The backstory that Eva reminisces within her monologues feels less engaging than other moments. Nonetheless, the play is both gripping and intriguing: the interview between Eva and her potential new employer at a private school is full of tension. The cruel chemistry between Eva and Arthur is highly playful and enjoyable: ‘What do you want to talk about?’ Arthur asks. ‘Pinochet’s torture measures? London housing system?’. While Arthur and Eva’s mother are busy trying to bring her down, Chiara Fumanti definitely succeed in making us root for her. We want her to defeat her anxiety, and like her, wish others would understand what she’s going through. We feel the win when she says ‘I don’t need a fucking man, I need a fucking better job’, and rejoice in her anger.
This production, from their company ‘Stage Leftovers’, is overall a very unique and deeply relatable touching story, told through striking images and relentless dark humour. Their duo is refreshing and magnetic, and their obvious complicity lifts this gore and humorous, creative production.
THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF A RAT RACER by Chiara Fumanti and Andrea Guerini
Book Etcetera Theatre 7 - 10 March
Book Bridge House Theatre 21 - 25 April
Produced by Stage Leftovers
