Yvonne Paterson reviews 'a production that is highly recommended and not to be missed'.
I’m F*ckining My Agent, by Union Management and Kat Harrison, makes its Fringe debut at The Space on North Bridge for a short run: a semi-autobiographical one-woman show that is not afraid to delve right into the harsh realities of the ebb and flow that is endured within this industry.
It is clear from the off that both the audience and the performance is in safe hands under director and writer Danny Steele, which has an open-door policy during the performance should anyone find the themes within the production triggering. There is also a trigger sheet provided to every audience member on arrival that’s full of information and helplines.
Steele’s script is the backbone of this production. The writing is honest, relatable and authentic: Steele doesn’t shy away from getting to the bare bones but at the same time approaches the material with a sense of humour, making it real. It delves into how important it is for creatives to save face and ignore their reprehensible behaviour, and it sees the protagonist having to endure humiliations and unpick grey areas of consent—both in bed and in life. The script takes to heart what it means to an actor to get on the books of an agent but laughs at the absurdity actors go through during auditions and how they need to have a thick skin to deal with rejection (#actorslife). Steele’s script also highlights that agents get rejected every day too – more so in fact – something rarely taken into consideration.
Kat Harrison in the role of “Her” uses the script to her advantage. Harrison is invested in the piece and is believable: she is engaging to watch and really draws you in. The play sees her arrive at a support group, and you feel instantly like you are part of the group. However, the light changes and Harrison addresses the audience directly, becoming more conversational - poking fun and acknowledging the audience is there: and that she is sharing her story. Throughout the performance the lighting is used effectively when her train of thought changes or switches between performance and conversation, confirming both audience and performer are on the same page.
Harrison gives a real and open performance – really letting you in. Describing her meeting with the agent, you can’t help but share in her excitement and laugh at her deliberation about the second meeting as to whether or not to shave her legs, but equally you share in her devastation when the unimaginable happens. Harrison is a great storyteller and paints a picture of the man “She” develops feelings for extremely well, with her heartfelt and affectionate description of him filled with humour: you feel like you know him too, covering the smallest detail from his shoes to his exhausted Owen Wilson impression - you find yourself invested in him as much as “She” is.
Harrison’s performance is captivating. She has a knack for taking you with her through her stories, and you really feel her pain, guilt and anger as to why she is no longer fucking her agent—leading you on an emotional journey.
I’m F*cking My Agent is one of those rare finds that sees the production achieving exactly what it set out to do – representing those swallowed up in an industry filled with people that “just want to be seen” but who never get the chance to share what it costs.
This is a production that is highly recommended and not to be missed.
I’m F*cking My Agent is performing at The Space on North Bridge—Fife Theatre (Venue No 36) until August 27th at 21.45.