Buy cheap tickets for Boozr
Why Is Life Like Sparrows?

Anni Dafydd emerges onto the stage wearing layers of mismatched technicolour clothes. The patchwork outfit perfectly describes her show: offbeat, muddled but oddly endearing.

The patchwork outfit perfectly describes her show: offbeat, muddled but oddly endearing.

Why is Life Like Sparrows? takes the form of a gently surreal sketch show. There’s no narrative thread to be found here, but all the vignettes are linked by a pervasive sense of oddness. The opening sketch sets the tone: Dafydd plays a piano while singing impossible or absurd questions: “Why can’t I lick my elbow?”; the eponymous “Why is life like sparrows” before cracking and just belting “Why?” The song is brief, sung well and never returned to, a model that applies to most of what Dafydd offers. Her sketches are short and performed vigorously and well. But, with the exception a projected piece about dissection, the ideas are left hanging.

There are some great moments amidst the weirdness. These mostly take the form of colloquial Welsh conversations, in which, for example, Iraq is brilliantly confused with Tonypandy. There’s nothing uproariously funny here, but Dafydd’s enthusiasm is infectious. It helps that the pace is high throughout and the piece doesn’t outstay its welcome. Although some sketches last mere seconds and could very easily be lost amidst the sweep of the longer pieces, there’s nothing that feels out of place.

The more surreal moments are of a more acquired taste and all too often the concept isn’t strong enough to make up for the lack of punchline. Two women shovelling sprouts into their mouths is faintly disgusting, but that’s not really enough.

Ultimately, Why is Life Like Sparrows? is as its title suggests: curious, fun and just a little bit pointless.

Reviews by Sam Forbes

Summerhall

Borderlands

★★★★
Summerhall

The Ex

★★★★
Pleasance Courtyard

You're Not Like the Other Girls Chrissy

★★★★
Cafe Camino

Woolly Eyed Turtle 3D

★★★★
Summerhall @ Tom Fleming Centre

To Sleep To Dream

★★★★★
Zoo Southside

Quiet Violence

★★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

Why is life like sparrows? There are too many questions with too many answers. Too many answers but not enough questions. Not enough answers for too many questions. No questions with no answers. What was the question? Drunken precision. ‘Spectacular’ (Wez the optician). 'One of the tastiest meals this year’ (Gordon Rimsay). ‘Speechless’ (the cat). ‘I have no time for this play’ (The Time Lord).
Buy cheap tickets for Book Of Mormon
Buy cheap tickets for Boozr

Most Popular See More

Buy cheap tickets for Nutcracker - London Coliseum
Nutcracker - London Coliseum

From £22.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Phantom of the Opera
Phantom of the Opera

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Guys and Dolls
Guys and Dolls

From £24.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Mean Girls
Mean Girls

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

From £23.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for MAMMA MIA!
MAMMA MIA!

From £15.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Buddha of Suburbia
Buy cheap tickets for Cyrano
Buy cheap tickets for Guys & Dolls
Buy cheap tickets for The Dazzling Diamonds
Buy cheap tickets for The Duchess of Malfi
Buy cheap tickets for Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma
Buy cheap tickets for How to Survive Your Mother
Buy cheap tickets for Stiletto
Buy cheap tickets for Circa Duck Pond
Buy cheap tickets for Cinderella Kings Head