Solo plays are an interesting phenomenon. One actor is alone on stage, and they have to engage, entertain, and entrance an audience for an entire show. These types of formatted shows require remarkable talent from the actor and strong direction.
An example of a sensational piece of theater is a solo show called Chocoholic, starring a talented Australian actor Lilly Dennis. This solo play shot to recognition quickly from its incredibly heartbreaking and gripping story.
The play is directed by Debra De Liso, an esteemed director who has been showered in awards her entire career. This powerhouse of a director has produced, and directed some of the most popular productions and worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. With this extraordinary creativity behind the production, the talent on stage shines into a performance that has received rave reviews.
This show was cleverly constructed, with a perfect balance of humor in the darkest of subjects. The show follows the story of a young woman, who has suffered a major loss. However, the story is told through an unorthodox trial due to the ‘strange addiction’ she has, and slowly her real traumas of grief are relieved to be the real dark reasons behind her addiction. It’s an incredible story, and one many people can, unfortunately, relate to.
It’s very unique to find a play that is constructed to break the fourth wall, meaning the audience is addressed directly but also manages to transform from scene to scene. Almost like you are watching a movie. Chocoholic has been talked about for years as a story that has touched the lives of so many people, and until I saw it, personally I didn’t know what to expect. After seeing it in previews and during its run, I can safely attest to the fact that this performance is nothing short of transformative, and you leave feeling seen. Theater can’t always have this effect on an audience, and when it does, you know you are witnessing something extraordinary.
