Premiering at the Traverse Theatre, Supposing: , written and directed by the acclaimed, award-winning Zinnie Harris, is a fascinating, unsettling exploration of how a comfortable life can get upended by a life-altering event, offering no easy answers or neat explanations. Tipped as a must-see at this year’s Fringe, it easily lives up to the hype.
We first meet Sally (expertly played by Nicole Cooper) standing within a minimalist circle on stage. Her hesitancy to speak, disturbed and too embarrassed to voice what’s happened out loud, ingeniously draws us into her world and makes us empathise with her. As the narrative unfolds, we are introduced to her husband, Richard, skilfully portrayed by Richard Conlon, who is left utterly bewildered by his wife’s transformation.
Shifting between direct audience addresses, internal monologues, intimate domestic squabbles, and eerie interludes of mythical possession, the production pitches us into the central mystery: Is Sally suffering from hallucinations, a brain tumour, menopause, or delusions? Or is she cursed? Can she truly foresee the future?
Harris’s writing is exceptionally clever. Despite frequent mythical references and the unseen presence of a 17-strong Greek chorus living in Sally’s head, convinced they are trapped in a classic tragedy (or perhaps a comedy), Supposing: stays grounded in reality and is still funny and touching. The authentic banter of a long-term couple, full of domestic needling, the silliness of shared in-jokes and the sardonic, humouring response to the insistent chorus as though they were annoying children, lightens the script. Yet, the weight of the current political climate, social unrest, casual racism, anti-immigration protests, and the rise of fascism, hangs heavily over Sally, sharpening her terror at being unable to alter someone’s future despite foreseeing their impending fate.
Harris also breaks some fundamental structural rules, introducing a brand new character in the last scene and ending with an unexpected moment. You genuinely never know where the story will turn next.
There is no resolution, no answers but Supposing: succeeds completely, leaving you feeling uplifted, still believing in the goodness in humanity even when the world feels dangerously out of control. I’d recommend this if you like thought-provoking theatre sprinkled with touches of humour.
Listings and ticket information can be found hereÂ
