It may contain a brief moment of actual tree-hugging but this bracing solo show by Bryony Kimmings – her first in five years – is part of a sophisticated, adventurous new wave of eco-theatre. Like the Royal Court’s recent sonic experiment Cow | Deer and the musical comedy Hot Mess, which opens this month at Southwark Playhouse, Bog Witch finds fresh and compelling perspectives on the horribly familiar plight of our planet.
Season through season, Kimmings recounts a year of upheaval after moving to a regenerative permaculture homestead with her son, her partner and his daughter. It’s the tale of a town mouse nervously twitching in her new wilderness, cut off from Deliveroo and Selfridges. At times, Kimmings’ opening mix of standup and songs, plus an ever-present feline sidekick, suggest a kinship with the “farm fatale” comedy of Katie Norris.
