HomeArts & LifestyleHow (not) to Live in Suburbia review

How (not) to Live in Suburbia review

For any of us Londoners with friends on the ‘other side of town’ (as some of us call it), meeting up can often be painful. Where do you meet? Nine times out of ten it will be somewhere central, because, I mean, sitting on a tube or train, or a bus for over an hour and a half is just TOO FAR. Although a weekend away in Venice, or Paris, or Amsterdam is totally doable. It’s just that the other side of town, is a drag. A stretch to get to. Such an effort. In Welsh – the word would be mynadd. There isn’t a direct translation but if there would be a word to sum it up, I can’t think of a better one. It’s all of those things rolled up in to one little word, with no doube LL’s to confuse the tongue, either. In this comedy/play, Twickenham is classed as outer Mongolia/suburbia. I mean, it’s not even within zone 2! How do people survive? Where is zone 5? Is that a thing?

How (not) to Live in Suburbia documents the struggles of a single mother trying to fit in with the yummy mummies/ the local book club/ we have several houses all over the world/ I do yoga at 4am for fun/ club of Twickenham – home of rugby. If you weren’t born in that area, or if you haven’t been introduced to these clubs through friends, it might be a little tricky to be welcomed in. We have to go on Tinder dates, in a city of 8 million people, to try and find love. People just don’t really want to chat or be disturbed in a public house, at least, often not until inebriated. What do you want? Why are you talking to me? He must be a bit weird. Out of London, this is totally normal. In London, there is some sort of bubble of – I don’t really want to chat all that much, if it’s all the same – I just want to enjoy a quiet pint/glass of wine with my friend. Sometimes. Not all the time. But often. We are in a central location after all and we want a catch up.

How (not) to Live in Suburbia
Credit: Nicki Hobday

Why do we complain that we’re lonely, when we sometimes shut people out? Why do we ponder the fact that we haven’t seen people for months, because our diaries have been just too busy? The walrus of loneliness rears its ugly and comic head throughout the play, but it’s so very true. Is it that London is just too big? Are class problems still a huge issue in this day and age? Why do people congregate in certain areas and make them bohemian, artsy or exclusive? How (not) to live in Suburbia is very well done. It’s accurate. Witty musings, observations and sometimes so truthful, it hits you in the face. This comedy/play covers everything that a Londoner has at some point of living in the city, experienced. At just over an hour long, it’s short and sweet and keeps you quietly laughing throughout.

Cast: Annie Siddons and Nicki Hobday Writer: Annie Siddons Theatre: Soho Theatre Duration: 1 hour Dates: 13-18 February 2017

Carys Jones
Carys Jones
I am passionate about everything any anything that involves music, theatre and the arts! I love interviewing artists and getting to learn more about them. When I’m not doing artsy things, you may find me watching rugby, singing with my choir and travelling to a new part of the world. Carpe diem.

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