Lubna Kerr appears at Pleasance Courtyard this Edinburgh Fringe with her solo show Lunchbox. Following the success of previous shows Tickbox and Chatterbox, this show marks the final chapter in Kerr’s insightful trilogy.
Inspired by Kerr’s own upbringing, this powerful solo show explores identity, bullying and belonging. Set in a secondary school in Glasgow, we discover two teenagers who live on the same street but experience the world very differently. Kerr examines how the upbringing and environments of these two characters directly influence their experience of bullying.
Lunchbox comes with content warnings for the use of racist and homophobic slurs, depictions of parental violence, alcoholism, racism, and depictions and description of bullying. These are tough but important topics, which are approached bravely here with care and compassion. There’s a positive element too, as we consider the transformative impact lunchtime clubs can have in providing a safe refuge where young people can discover their best selves.
Taking on all roles single-handedly, Lubna Kerr switches comfortably between characters. There are no costume changes, which increases the fluidity of the performance but does make the task of distinguishing between characters trickier. Kerr manages it successfully with effective use of body language and an impressive ability in delivering a variety of accents.
The small, enclosed theatre space creates an intimate setting for Kerr to deliver this personal story. Some localised humour lifts the piece and is much appreciated among some hard-hitting scenes. The staging is kept relatively simple; no bells or whistles are required in the delivery of this compelling performance.
A thought-provoking watch, Lunchbox is a powerful take on some very real issues. This timely piece is a tale of reality, hope, and second chances – if we choose to take them, of course.
