'Snatched' is a 70-minute non-stop one-woman piece, written and performd by Melissa Johns.
Johns, as some will already know, is both an actress [Hannah Taylor in 'Life' and Imogen Pascoe on 'Coronation Street'], and a disability advocate - she herself was born with no right foream and hand.
In this essentially Fringe-style piece of theatre, Johns [with live music accompaniment provided by Imogen Halsey], takes us through her early life from aged 6 - and a screen at the rear helpfully completes the picture with actual photos and videos of her in the various stages of her life - bringing us bang up to date to where she is now. There is forthrightness mixed with humility, bombast juxtaposed with simplicity, and a deal of tragedy surrounded by lashings of comedy.
There is no doubt that Johns has had a tougher time than most growing up. Always being told that she was 'different' or 'special', and yet for her, her body was completely normal and nothing to be ashamed of at all. It seemed almost ironic then, when in 2019, nude and compromising photos of her were found and published, giving Johns the fuel she needed to raise a campaign against body-shaming, aiming to combat the taboos around 'the perfect body' and sex.
This is a brave [she used that word herself a lot this evening, although always ironically], heartfelt and thoughtful piece, performed by a strong female on a mission. Of course, cynics might also see it is as a piece of rather egocentric and very timely self-promotion. You decide.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 13.5.22
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 13.5.22
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