Review: THE BEAUTY OF BEING HERD, Camden People’s Theatre - Tour
Photo credit: Shay Rowan
It’s Hanna’s goodbye party. Don’t worry, she’s not dying or saying goodbye to a toxic ex or anything, she’s just moving to greener pastures…literally. She's decided to live as a sheep. She’s made her woolly transformation, but before she catches the last bus to her new field, she’s got something to over-share: what does it mean to become a sheep? And, more importantly, what events led to this decision?
Written and performed by Ruth Berkoff, who is best known for a blog she wrote about being a brain haemorrhage survivor; the show made its debut in early July 2023 as part of Volcano Theatre’s ‘Shape of Things to Come’ programme in Swansea. Since then, it has been performed at various venues around the UK before embarking on its spring tour this year, where it is due to be performed at: Glasgow Comedy Festival, Brighton Fringe and Cardiff (Porter’s Theatre).
There is practically no set, just a goodbye banner with a singular balloon stuck on the wall on one side of the audience in this black box theatre. This may seem like a thoughtless design choice, but it is ingenious in the context of the show. Not only does it allow for Berkoff to take up space, but it also creates a sense of bewilderment and isolation, giving the effect of feeling alone in a crowded room. It also creates a sense of how intimidating it can be to perform alone in front of a group of people who are all staring at you, which is perfect considering that the character she plays, Hannah, is incredibly socially anxious, meaning that the physical space seems to exacerbate this aspect because there is nowhere to hide.
The low-budget sheep costume is iconic; very homemade and really adds to the humorous aspect of the show. It is a smart idea to let the audience watch this transformation happening so that we aren’t bewildered by a sheep appearing on stage. We get to see the thought that Hannah put into it and understand that it’s not a random or spontaneous decision, whilst we also become intrigued to know her backstory. It also makes the sheep facts easier to digest, as these are not only reflected in the way she dresses but in the way that she acts.
Whilst there aren’t enough songs to make this show a musical, the songs in this show are so memorable. We will forever have the lyrics “the thing about sheep is they’re basic and they know it. Not deep” and “there’s no need to be smart because they are so simple” stuck in our heads. Yes, Berkoff isn’t the strongest singer, but this really does make sense for the character she plays by allowing the social anxiety to pervade through every aspect of her character. It is brave to sing like this in front of an audience and we have the utmost respect for her willingness to do this.
A really key aspect of this show is audience participation. It is a special skill to get an adult audience to interact with the show as much as we are encouraged to: we frolick like lambs, bleat like sheep, dance with a sheep at a rave and do a breathing exercise as a collective to vent about adult worries, like hubcaps and tangled hair. Berkoff is very good at encouraging the audience to have a laugh and engage with the show, whilst also ensuring the performance is accessible as possible, making us all feel safe and comfortable. We get to let go of all expectations to be adults and are free to have fun and look ridiculous; that is what makes this show so special.
It must be said that for all of the silliness of the show, it actually covers something rarely seen on stage and talks about the subject in a brutally honest and shameless way. The subject of social anxiety: the various ways that this can manifest and how social life looks like to those who battle with this. In this sense, the show made a lot of sense to us and made us feel very seen, especially in regards to the idea that everyone else has a series of social rules that don’t make sense to us/that we missed the memo about.
This, combined with a very lived in performance, is what gives an otherwise bizarrely fluffy show a strong heart. It has an important message about how lonely and frustrating it can be to feel unable to connect with people no matter what strategies you try. How social interaction looks completely alien to some of us and how difficult this can be to work through. How we, as humans, especially in Britain, have a tendency to over complicate everything with double standards and difficult to decipher hidden/unspoken social rules.
When you really think about it, it makes absolute sense that someone would want to become a sheep, the rules are so simple and easy to understand: stay with the flock, keep your eyes open, eat grass, ruminate and, if you’re feeling in a particularly good mood, have a bit of a frolick.
Sincere in its showing of the unseen struggles of those who feel like socially inept outsiders. Bleetingly bizarre but the best fun! Gives Shaun the Sheep a run for its money.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Megan O’Neill
The Beauty of Being Herd is currently touring until 9 May, with further info here.