Daisy (Tiggy Bayley) has an okay job as a teaching assistant, she just knows that she needs to stay focused while navigating her way through grief. She thinks she is fine but that’s just a mask. She is assigned to Paddy Connors a young Irish traveller to help with his reading although in reality he has been written off by the other teachers and labelled “a problem child” which he isn’t once Daisy earns his trust, he opens up to her and they become friends.
Squidge is a powerful and heartfelt solo dark comedy play navigating the unchartered paths we all take while tackling our feelings of grief. Daisy doesn’t want anyone’s pity or allowances, she wants her normal life back and to feel again. She just doesn’t quite know how to get there or if she ever will again.
The only people Daisy talks to are the frequent phone calls with her grieving mother, which are brief and slightly awkward, and a sexy plumber whose ulterior motives and predatory behaviour drip through into the storyline until Daisy finally realises what is happening.
There is a beautifully written range of emotions used subtly throughout the performance and the outburst of rage had me cheering Daisy on from the auditorium. She deserved that relief and to feel alive once again. Prepare to be moved and I suggest taking a tissue (just in case).
Bayley has written a powerful piece and personal tribute explaining and bringing to the public eye the danger of prescription drugs. There are thousands of unspoken and uninvestigated deaths of people taking drugs prescribed by their Doctors for depression or strong pain relief , these fall to the side leaving loved ones behind. A simple Google search will confirm this.
Since having a personal experience about six years ago and going cold turkey after four months on a well-prescribed anti-depressant used for pain relief I have always said more research needs to be done into the link between suicide rates and these drugs.
Written and performed by Tiggy Bayley, directed by Selwin Hulme-Teague and produced by Linda-Ray Ndlova.
For more information about Squidge please visit the links below. It’s one to watch at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year. Hopefully, it will have a stage life after the Fringe finishes.
Five Stars.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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