Psychodrama is a chilling thriller that leaves you wanting more. The mid-career actress played brilliantly by Emily Bruni keeps the audience engaged throughout the performance. Psychodrama is one of a few one-woman shows being performed at the Traverse this year, seeing so many female-led stories and performances throughout the fringe this year has been inspiring to say the least. A gripping, at times hilarious revenge tale about an actress in her 40’s under investigation for the murder of an amateur theatre director. Set against the backdrop of a stage production of Hitchcock’s Psycho, Emily Bruni (Peep Show) plunges us into the dark heart of show business.
Hitchcock’s portrayal of women on screen has been described as cruel, evocative, and victimising. When we think of ‘Psycho’ we all go straight to the fear derived from the genius shower scene. The horror of such an act being carried out in what is a private/safe space. Matt Wilkinson’s writing incorporates Hitchcock’s obsessiveness whilst highlighting the injustice of the industry and its exploitative nature. The writing is layered with punchy jokes and lightness in amongst the darkness which allows Bruni to be playful with the delivery of the text.
Bruni welcomed the audience into the world of the play, keeping the audience in the palm of her hand. It was a masterclass in storytelling. She maintained her energy throughout the show and her use of accents flowed so well in between her portrayal of conversations with others. Her portrayal of Coevorden makes your skin crawl as the manipulation unfolds. She delivered her emotional journey at a steady place leaving room to heighten her emotions towards the end of the play.
The use of set, lighting and sound throughout this performance were a perfect trifecta. Having only a single stool on stage took stripped-back storytelling to the next level. The use of lighting depicted the setting and the atmosphere. The lighting matched with the eerie sound thrusted a specific tone towards the audience. This created a sensory reaction as the play developed, paired with Bruni’s storytelling we as an audience knew what we were to feel. The play comes to quite a quick end with no resolution – leaving us wanting more. In today’s society we often have the means to find out ‘what happens next’ taking this away from the audience today felt exhilarating, allowing the imagination to run wild.
Click the link below for tickets:
https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/psychodrama#datesandtimes
Theatre Scotland 
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