Five young strangers sit in front of us, telling stories from their lives and punctuating each tale with a homemade musical segue. Household lamps, a chest of drawers, miscellaneous armchairs and a couple of stools make up the homely set from which the members of Tip of the Tongue recount their bitter and sweet anecdotes. And that’s it. That’s If Walls Could Talk in its entirety. And it’s just great.
Tom Black kicks things off with a story which blends a lingering obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine with the difficulty of having to ‘share’ his birthday with 9/11; Alison Ford explains why, sometimes, trusting strangers in risky situations can be a rewarding endeavour; Emma Lawson is haunted by a tenacious, hideous pair of jeggings. Each story is simple and each storyteller has their own, naturalistic sparkle.
The production tackles the ridiculously-specific as well as the poignantly-universal. Louisa Beadel in particular manages to find a way to blend her dry-as-a-bone wit with a lovable vulnerability – gliding adroitly from a comic obsession with tomato ketchup to an ever-present struggle with an eating disorder. Will Barwick, too, has a familiar, schlubby quality which belies the frank tenderness at the heart of his borrowed memories of his grandparents’ fated union.
Throughout the play there are small interactions with the audience and we are frequently reminded that we’re an important part of this cosy collection of sincere accounts. Whether by passing round a saucer of custard creams or by inviting a guest storyteller from the audience onto the stage, this company understand their business.
Tip of the Tongue are certainly a company to watch for the future.
Adam Z Robinson
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