There is more to life than happiness, right? A not-so-perfect guide to happiness is explored in this one-woman show, written and performed by Yvette May who, after finding herself feeling depressed more often than normal, does what all young people do to find an answer to their problems – she asks the internet and stumbles across 10 Steps to Happiness.
Yvette was outstanding, her comedic timing was faultless and her ability to bounce off the audience superb.
Taking us through the 10 steps using stories and reflections from her life many moments stood out. In a typical wild night out in a club, involving the audience and loud music, the stage was transformed into a nightclub amidst the wrath of a drunken Yvette ‘on the pull’. There were plenty more hilarious moments as we peered into Yvette’s life. An audience favourite was her interpretive dance about newfound sexual awakening and body confidence. I will leave that up to your imagination.
There were also some hard-hitting moments as well. Talking about the sexual exploitation she received as a teenage girl, and the way some misogynistic boys treated her, was as brutal as it was relatable. Amidst all the comedy this serious moment of honesty was truly moving, but a skit about a wicked witch casting the spell of puberty on her had the laughs rolling in again. Yvette made it clear that friends, family, counseling and alcohol got her through these difficult experiences; whether that was a random guy groping her in a club or an extremely difficult break up with the man she thought was the love of her life.
Yvette was outstanding, her comedic timing was faultless and her ability to bounce off the audience superb. Often having only one actor on stage can be dull but Yvette held the audience in the palm of her hand. It was brutal, hilariously honest and very relatable – whether you are a teenager going through it now or an adult finding difficulty letting go. The vulnerability of her experiences contrasted brilliantly with her outrageous confidence. Some moments were a bit messy and, whilst the performance could have been more polished, the scatty and chaotic parts all added to the comedy and made her even more endearing.
With people putting the best parts of their life online, is anyone truly happy, or are people all struggling with the same thing? Has Yvette uncovered the truth about what everyone truly thinks and feels deep down – a universal need to seem happier than they actually are?
