Sex, struggle, and solitude! ‘Daddy Issues’ is a topical, thought-provoking one-woman show and a must-see at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Passing Stranger Theatre Company was formed in 2018 and was founded by Anna Krauze the writer and solo performer of ‘Daddy Issues’. This production is funded by the Arts Council England, has been awarded the Art Council National Lottery Project Grant 2021 and is currently being developed for a limited series TV script.
A dark comedy about daddy issues, sex work, fantasies, taboos, imperfect feminism, immigration and trauma. Natalia is a Polish immigrant and an unsuccessful painter who works on a sex line. She shares insights of her work, slowly revealing details of her own affairs and troubles of navigating one’s life where dreams are overshadowed by issues carried from childhood into adulthood.
Anna Krauze has a wonderful ability to story tell, engaging with the audience and allowing them to immerse into the world of the play. The audience hangs on to her every sentence, she uses her intonation to keep the audience on their toes as she guides us through the narrative. At times some of the delivery of the dialogue seemed misdirected, perhaps an emphasis on words that didn’t quite make sense to the audience. Her energy was consistent throughout the hour, pulling the audience in.
The writing of this production is beautiful. Questioning the grotesque behaviours which have been normalised in society. It looks at dominance vs submission, older men preying on young teenagers, Eastern European stereotypes, the taboos of kinks and the psychology of women’s roles in these situations. The complexity of women’s psyche in relation to men and sex, women blaming women, and how childhood can shape our relationships and experiences as adults.
The direction of this production is simplistic and effective, director Coral Tarran has done a brilliant job of lending to the storytelling aspect of the script. Using low mood lighting has created a sexy but ominous atmosphere within the intimate space. The revealing of each art piece is visually stimulating for the audience. The staging is simplistic yet effective, using little movement and minimalistic props. At points the pacing of the piece could be sped up slightly to avoid any awkward pauses however overall a wonderfully directed story.
In conclusion ‘Daddy Issues’ packs a punch within the short hour-long play, discussing and putting a microscopic lens on some provoking and taboo themes and societal issues. The writing is beautiful and very relevant. Anna Kruze is a performer and writer to keep an eye out for in the near future and shows promising potential.
Get your tickets to ‘Daddy Issues’ by Anna Krauze at the Pleasance Courtyard below:
Theatre Scotland 
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