Vanity Bites Back - Alex Stimson
Vanity Bites Back is a unique and curiously intriguing comedy show addressing uncomfortable issues surrounding food and mentality towards it. Performed in Canterbury's St Mary's Hall Studio Theatre the focus was entirely on Helen Duff and her kitsch cooking set.
Helen Duff's portrayal of Jill Grainger, an eccentric wannabe TV chef, whose image echoes the perfectly put together 50's housewife, is delightfully unhinged. Her quirky and some what erratic antics create an air of spontaneity. Whilst, interaction with the audience, offering viewers a welcome biscuit, is hospitable as much as it is awkward, leaving the audience sitting on egg shells.
Duff slips between comedy and hard hitting truths about what it is like to live with anorexia, with the use of upbeat theme tunes to disperse the tension. The spilling over of Jill Grainger's stream of consciousness creates a character you are compelled to empathise with. Although the beginning of the show may be ambiguous and lack structure, Duff foreshadows the complexities to come through her attitude towards food.
Slap-dash cooking skills and banter with the allusive Glen come together to make a heartily funny show. Quick and witty lines are rife and display Duff's comedic timing. However, comedy is not the only thing on the menu. Underneath, Duff's neurotic optimism there is a layer of darkness. The realistic denial of having an eating order cuts to the core as Jill's happy go lucky character spirals into a frantic state, all brushed over with a posh accent. Duff's portrayal of the painful truths of living with an eating disorder is incredibly personal and tackles the undeniable taboo it comes with. It is relatable to those who have suffered and offers an insight to those who have not, making it an illuminating show for all.
Throughout, the audience are taken on a journey, with Jill, in order to find out what really is good enough. Duff questions whether self worth comes from a number on the scale; a perfect cheesecake; or being ok with yourself and cherishing being alive.
Vanity Bites Back is a charming and powerful showcase which resonates within the audience's mind, creating a carefully crafted balance between the light hearted and the heart breaking.
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