📍Southwark Playhouse

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Writer and performer Isabel Renner lands in London with her hit one woman show ‘Wyld Woman’ after taking the Edinburgh Fringe by storm. Now at the Southwark Playhouse for its London run, Wyld Woman is directed by Cameron King, and produced by Catherine Schreiber – an aptly all-female team, for what is ultimately a very female story.

Billed as a ‘love letter’ to the shy, Wyld Woman immerses us in protagonist Shy Girl’s New York City apartment which appears to be set up in anticipation of a party; encompassing the kitchen space are streamers, balloons and table settings all in dazzling splashes of pink. The occasion? Shy Girl has invited some of the local neighbourhood legends (“you know, people who smoke cigarettes, and have tattoos”) to her apartment: a huge breakthrough given her crippling shyness.

For the next 70 minutes Renner’s character takes us through the various struggles that her intense shyness leads to, including mishaps at her waitressing job at a French restaurant frequented by British celebrity, run ins with her ‘cool girl’ roommate Memphis, and crucially her love life (or distinct lack thereof!). For all of this, Renner seamlessly transitions from character to character, bringing to life a questionable German gyno called Yurgen, her six year old therapist Shelley (technically, Shy Girl is her babysitter, but Shelley is really mature), and most hilariously her almost-lover Pino, a fellow server at her work, and someone who – in the words of Lilly Allen – gives ‘4chan stan.’ It is these slick transitions from one character to another that set Renner’s one woman show apart; it is a delight to luxuriate in her impressive chameleon-like performance.

Another impressive element of Wyld Woman is how King and Renner build community with the audience. As I was handed a sticker and told to write my name, I thought this was merely a cute gimmick. However, throughout the show, Renner consistently addressed dialogue to the audience, all the while referring to individual members by name. This impressive feat of focus and frankly, being able to read scribbled handwriting in the dark, drew us much closer to the action, particularly during an emotional final monologue where Shy Girl is candid with her imaginary friends/audience and offers genuine and bespoke compliments to several audience members. On top of this, several audience members (braver than I) were offered seats on the stage – at Shy Girl’s kitchen table, couch and arm chair. Small additions, but ones which genuinely paid off in achieving a truly intimate atmosphere.

Wyld Woman does well to capture the experience of being a young woman in a big city – told from a refreshing and interesting perspective. It is earnest, hopeful and hilarious. Shy Girl ponders her sexuality, worries about relationships and human connection in a world increasingly less accessible for those who are shy. Shy Girl proclaiming that her most romantic memory is actually just a scene she’s seen from My Fair Lady resonate just as much as her describing hilariously chaotic sexual encounters with Pino. Underneath it all, the yearning to belong, fit in and be loved permeates the subtext of the piece, and though the reasons for her introverted nature are never really explored, the piece gives a well-rounded slice of character exploration.  

Wyld Woman: The Legend of Shy Girl plays at the Southwark Playhouse until 15th November

🎟️ Tickets and information: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/wyld-woman/