This one-woman show is, quite fittingly, a meditation on… meditation. At its core, it’s the story of Katie – a woman lost in the noise of modern life. With a world constantly pinging at our fingertips, she finds herself addicted to the endless stream of information and text conversation. It disrupts more than it soothes, and the question arises: how do we find peace amid such chaos?
Katie, in pursuit of calm, finds herself on a technology-free retreat. Her aim? To re-order a broken and vulnerable outlook – albeit reluctantly at times. Shannon Kurlander is the writer-performer “hovering”, as she poetically puts it, “in the space between what she is – versus what she believes she could be.” The writing is evocative and moves fluidly from punchy to lyrical and often beautiful, with moments that genuinely resonate.
Though the performance builds in power as the piece progresses, it takes a while to settle in. A stronger, more commanding opening would have helped anchor the audience earlier on. At times it’s vocally underplayed, which renders the delivery too relaxed, bordering on languid. That said, once the piece finds its rhythm, it holds you. Director Lydia McKinley makes excellent use of the intimate Hope Theatre space, encouraging a performance that is both emotionally precise and physically spontaneous. Flashbacks to Katie’s romantic misadventures – her “projects” – are well drawn, with each relationship offering insight into her evolving self. It’s a moving and frequently funny journey through frustration, reflection, self-flagellation, and ultimately, self-awareness.
The minimal set reinforces the theme – simple, clean, and uncluttered – echoing the idea that a clear space might foster a clearer mind. Despite the challenge of writing a solo piece with so few external characters to lean on, Kurlander succeeds in conjuring vivid presences through her storytelling. Each supporting figure is well fleshed out and leaves a lasting impression.
The Project is a satisfying, thought-provoking piece. Those who’ve weathered complicated relationships will likely recognise something of themselves in Katie’s musings – and perhaps leave a little quieter inside.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
