Writer/performer Evelyn Rose’s one-person musical, Rosie’s Brain, now playing at the Hope Theatre in Islington, introduces us to Rosie, an anxious and obsessive-compulsive who navigates the world of romance.
Rosie is an engaging character, in red-rimmed specs and a loud jumpsuit covered in red and yellow flowers. She starts out shrinking from attractive guys at college, before sharing with us how ‘weird’ she was from an early age.
Playing all the characters is a risk that doesn’t quite come off in the show’s current form. A succession of disengaged therapists could stand some fleshing out, and although A duet where Rose sings the parts of both Rosie and her boyfriend does convince, I wondered if ‘his’ part might work with another actor.
The songs, strung through the 60-minute show at key points, are pithy comments on Rosie’s mental state and fear of the uncertain. Accompanied by Rose on guitar and/or her musical director Laoise Fleming on keyboards, these are little storytelling capsules that fit a story that feels personal.
In a small venue, the option is always there to utilise the audience, and this worked well for Rosie’s Brain. Awkward attempts to get into the dating scene add humour, while the reality of navigating the world through a neurodiverse lens is sharply conveyed.
Directed by Lucrezia Galeone and Josh Vaatstra, this lively musical from a San Franciscan artist sparkles for most of its running time but doesn’t quite have a full ending yet and could easily stand expansion. Alternatively, it could become a full song-cycle focused completely on Rosie.
Evelyn Rose has created a show that never flags and has a refreshing honesty about how some people’s brains are wired. In Rosie’s Brain, we are rooting for her happiness while recognising her weaknesses.
This show has the potential to grow in whichever direction Rose and her team want it to go. I look forward to its future development.
3 and a half stars.
Rosie’s Brain continues at the Hope Theatre until 8 Feb – tickets here.
For more on the work of Evelyn Rose follow her on Instagram.