Fringe Review: Girl From Nowhere - Pleasance That, Pleasance Courtyard ✭✭✭✭

Review by Ellen Cree 

Upon entering the venue to watch ‘Girl From Nowhere’ there were numerous cardboard boxes laid out in formation along with a guitar and an old fashioned tape recorder. It was apparent upon the arrival of Victoria Rigby in character that this hour-long, one woman show was going to be pretty hard hitting and gritty.

Set in 1969 in Southern USA, ‘Girl From Nowhere’ allows the audience to watch a young woman record her story, which is later revealed to be for her infant daughter who was conceived as a result of rape. Light is shed on the struggles and complications that musicians who were trying to find fame experienced during this era and Rigby’s use of body language and facial expressions, and her overall aura, truly capture this.

The show also discusses how difficult it was for young women who were pregnant, especially for those who were victims of rape and those seeking abortions during the 60s.  This was particularly thought provoking as this is a contemporary issue which is still apparent in today's society in various places around the world.  

Victoria Rigby beautifully captures the essence of the character in this captivating piece of theatre in which she also sings and plays guitar to convey her character's emotions. The intimate venue really makes you feel as though you are with her in the basement of her family home as she opens up to you. The play also contains the clever use of a voice recording playing the lead’s mother shouting at her from the house into the basement where the performance takes place.

‘Girl From Nowhere’ is a not to be missed performance which will stay with you long after it is over.

‘Girl From Nowhere’ is at Pleasance That, Pleasance Courtyard until the the 31st of August lasting an hour at 12:45