Wild Onion is a strange but earnest coming-of-age story told in cabaret style, accompanied by circus acrobatics and onion antics. Our three players, three best friends, Daisy, Rachel and Hayley, recount a day that took place towards the end of high school and was characterised by the memorial service for their friend, a fourth member of their group who they recently lost. There are a lot of pent-up feelings and questions unanswered. Naturally.
In this show, all this emotional baggage, or ‘things that make them cry’, are represented by something in the onion family. Whether it’s a leek, spring onion, shallot, or a plain old white onion, this troupe have it on stage and will throw it around, stuff it in their clothes, smash it, or even bite into it. It’s gross, smelly, and messy, but it’s a metaphor through which these friends, unable to articulate themselves otherwise, seem to be able to perform their grief to us.
Although for some this appeared to be incredibly entertaining, I found that the fun and surprise of it all wore off after the first five minutes – around the same time that the smell of the room became unignorable. All I can say is thank god all the onion damage is being composted.
There were some promising moments along the way. Cabaret leader and artistic director, Daisy Minto, is a brilliant actor and led the piece with charm and emotion. I only wish their script were tighter to maximise their potential. Their own personal section detailing the trials of calling the HMRC only to find out in the worst way possible life-changing information was incredibly poignant. Using audience interaction for the call centre voice is also a stroke of genius, or at least it was on the day I went, as we were blessed with a master of accents.
Hayley Larson, who said only a couple of lines, it turns out is better at gymnastics. As a replacement for a speech at her late friend’s memorial service, she performs a thrilling set on the cyr-wheel, which is re-enacted for us on stage, inducing gasps and cheers. To be clear, for a show that says it integrates circus arts into its performance, this is really the only moment that can come close to the circus. Whilst comedic, I’m not sure balancing on a path of onions really ticks that box.
Indeed, in spite of all its attempts at tricks, Wild Onion functioned at its best in its more vulnerable moments, when Daisy’s voice accompanied by compelling movement performances by Rachel and Hayley conveyed a simple, but relatable story with elegant power.
