Fringe World Fix: I’m not alright

“Depression: A play in 10 years. Now I must take my final bow.”
Chaos Ensemble presents, I’m not alright, performed by Daley King as part of the Fringe World Festival. I’m not alright is an exploration of depression and suicide, showing the inner workings of the mind of someone who is contemplating suicide. King handles the material with respect and in a way that shows just how personal the topic is for him, as he is sharing his own personal experiences with the audience. He wanted to open discussion on what is generally seen as a taboo topic. 

The show started in a unique manner. It felt like it faded in. One moment the audience was sitting in anticipation waiting for the show to start, and the next moment a voice was speaking over the sound system. A hush fell over the audience as we watched Daley King make his slow progression down the aisle, suitcase in hand and the smile bandana covering his mouth.

A big part of the performance was the puppet used to portray King’s bipolar personality. “I wanted to represent the other side of me, the depressed to my manic.” The puppet added an extra level to the performance, giving someone for King to directly interact with and tell some of the stories through. It was also interesting the way he would change his voice for the puppet, giving it a very specific personality and identifier.

 I’m not alright uses a combination of voice-overs and a jazz soundtrack to add to King’s solo performance. The voice-overs and sound effects add depth and external interactions giving King a little extra to work with. A scene where the voice-over was used exceedingly well in my opinion, was when King portrayed visiting a psychiatrist. King utilised the voice-over as the disembodied psychiatrist, while they conversed about “how he was feeling”. The jazz soundtrack played throughout the performance also aided in creating and changing the atmosphere of the show. From dancing at a party, to the final moments before King’s big decision the music was perfectly tailored to the highs and lows of the performance.

The Parrott House theatre had a very intimate feel to it, with the chairs being very close to the stage and surrounding the walkway. I feel like it aided King in reaching out to the audience and connecting to them because the show had a very personal and private feel to it. I definitely think the Parrott House theatre was the perfect place for King’s performance.

“I’m not alright, but I’ll be okay.”

King’s final monologue held a lot of power and truth about it. About the power that making a choice can have, and how there is always time to change your mind. I thoroughly enjoyed I’m not alright and implore others to see it. 

I’m not alright will be shown at The Parrott House in Maylands until Saturday February 20, 2016. Read our interview with Daley King here.