I Killed My Roommate is an hour-long dark comedy drama written and performed by Olivia Pickford, currently showing in Theatre 2 at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall.
Liv didn’t start the day as a murderer. However, sometimes all that stands in the way of a person crossing that line is an exceptionally bad day. After waking up to another passive-aggressive post-it from her roommate, enduring a nightmare train ride, and suffering through an infuriating GP appointment, Liv is pushed to the edge of her temper—and something’s got to give.
The entirety of I Killed My Roommate has a confessional atmosphere, as Pickford regales the audience with a retelling of the events that led to the titular crime. The script contains anecdotes that most audience members are sure to relate to, giving Pickford the air of someone trying desperately to seek validation and understanding for their actions in a way that makes for a deeply engaging and funny watch. Pickford’s talent as a performer ensures that these lines are delivered in a way that often results in side-splitting laughter.
Another enjoyable element of this show is how, as time goes on, Pickford’s appearance seems to become progressively more dishevelled, reflecting the character’s ever-fraying mental state. Additionally, the performance utilises voice-overs in lieu of having Pickford share the stage with someone else, which adds to the sometimes-claustrophobic feeling created by the show—when all there is to focus on is Liv’s growing anger at the absurdity of the day, making them a more relatable and endearing character in spite of the audience being aware of where the story will end.
I Killed My Roommate is a hilarious show that finds the comedy in the frustrating moments of mundane life. It will keep any audience laughing the whole way with Pickford’s ability to turn the most ordinary occurrence into an amusing anecdote.
