Siobhan, in a cast after injuring her hand in a bicycle accident in Brooklyn, finds taking showers too cumbersome, so she’s been taking baths in the houses of friends, and in this uniquely intimate production, you are among those friends. That Uppity Theatre Company and The Drama Club Stl have come together to present a St. Louis premiere, created and performed by Siobhan O’Loughlin, that dares to get to the crux of what theatre’s all about. Not an escape, but a connection.
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Siobhan O’Loughlin
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Soaking in a bathtub, O’Loughlin tells you about her recent accident that happened on a cold, slick bike path. Along the way, she gets you to tell her your stories -- and that’s where the heart of this play rests. When you’re injured, physically or emotionally, sometimes you need a group of open-hearts around you for comfort. This is where a snug group of audience members come into play, providing a close mesh. O’Loughlin is a socially conscious sort -- using her bike for transportation and composting vegetables. But she’s more willing to open up about herself when she’s temporarily disabled to a degree after her spill, and wants to know about your scrapes with vulnerability.
Sit up close, and you might be called upon to answer a question or two, but O’Loughlin is easy to listen to, and open up to, and also unobtrusively adept at steering the narrative back to the story. Whether she needs you to wash her back, or assist her in a quick shampoo, a safe, open vibe is quickly acquired among the participants. The need to ask for help tends to bring people together, and that’s the magic that lies underneath this piece.
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| Photo credit: Kimberly N. |
Kudos to Joan Lipkin, artistic director of That Uppity Theatre Company, Matthew R. Kerns, founder of The Drama Club Stl and the new executive director of the St. Lou Fringe Festival, and not least, Siobhan O’Loughlin, for bringing us a different kind of play. With a running time of around an hour and 15 minutes, if you’re up for a satisfyingly cathartic experience that expands upon what it is to see a play, this one should not be missed. You can check out a trailer for the show here.
BROKEN BONE BATHTUB
Created and performed by Siobhan O’Loughlin
Thursday performances will be set in bathtubs of private homes
throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Friday, Saturday,
and Sunday performances will be held at the historic Lemp
Mansion at 3322 DeMenil Place
through June 26 | tickets: $25 - $45
To make reservations for a Thursday performance, contact
Matthew Kerns at thedramaclubstl@gmail.com. Please email
Matthew the date of the performance you would like to attend,
along with your return phone number.
To make reservations for a Friday-Sunday performance, call
314-664-8024
Performances Thursdays at 7pm and 9pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and 9:30pm, Sundays at 2pm
Cast
Siobhan O’Loughlin
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