Totally Trucked for GM Fringe 2022
On the surface, a one-woman show about being involved in a truck crash should be a bit awkward but Katie's narration of her experience is absolutely compelling. It has the perfect balance of comedy and incredible storytelling. I found myself in the basement of The Peer Hat in the Northern Quarter which had air conditioning to beat the heat, amazing. if you have haven't visited The Peer Hat its so worth it.
The show begins; iconic 80s music plays with Katie on the floor mimicking, the sleeping struggle and how we all try to ignore the alarm clock for the very special extra minutes of sleep. Katie takes us back to her schooldays in Manchester with all the different characters. The students trying to get though school, we all know the types.
As the title suggests, Katie was totally trucked, run over, by a very large truck. One thing about the truck sequence is that Katie went home after a Mom picked her up after the truck wrecked her bike. This is the moment where we start to see Katie's strength and ‘get it done’ attitude. However, the shock of the accident wears off with Katie becomes very ill. She develops Chronic Pain Syndrome which changes her life forever. This is her source of strength but also a source of weakness.
Katie begins to share her story of a sexually active 16-year-old who is a heavy drinker. Katie uses alcohol to further self-medicate her pain. As Katie’s pain develops it impacts her life, to the point of needing a Zimmer frame. Fast-forward as Katie goes to college. Katie’s pain becomes the main source of her misery, but Katie pushes through and is accepted to a prestigious London drama school.
At the time of her move to London, Katie starts out on a total high, or “in a bubble” to use Katie's words. Her hard life soon begins again, after a classmate suffers a heart attack. When does Katie have a break? Katie's fight with PTSD comes back after her classmate returns with PTSD after their heart attack.
As this chapter unfolds, more events take place, culminating in Katie attempting suicide. At that moment, Katie's family is gathering around her, and we hear a message from her mother saying how much she loves her and is coming to help which was so powerful. The show
ends but brings Katie’s story full circle to show a strong and powerful person with a story that everyone should hear.
Totally trucked is a ‘must see’ show. catch it; it will it part of GM Fringe.
Showing at The Peer Hat Manchester as part of GM Fringe 2022
James Richardson for Canal St Media
Published: 21-Jul-2022 (6737)
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