Claire Dowie's Swansong. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 until 5 July 2025 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

Photo Credit: Colin Watkeys.

Claire Dowie's Swansong. The Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 until 5 July 2025,

5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

“Dowie is masterly.”

Claire Dowie launched her career in the theatre at the Finborough 40 years ago and this return, whether or not it proves to be a swansong, sees her perform pieces she has written and performed there and elsewhere over the years. They are Adult Child/ Dead Child, with which she launched the season, and was also first done at the Finborough, Why is John Lennon Wearing a Skirt?, H to He (I'm turning into a man) and See Primark and Die (Buy Little, Buy Less, Buy Nothing At All). There will be press nights for all four but in the event I could only attend the first one which also was my first encounter with Dowie in spite of that long and illustrious career and very rewarding it proved. I suspect Adult Child/Dead Child was even more powerful when first done because it is about mental health, a little girl who feels unwanted, not abused, however, who creates a secret friend called Benjy and what happens is Benjy takes over, or rather Benjy is the excuse she creates for herself for her actions. Slowly she realises that Benjy is a monster who must not be listened to especially when her parents have put her in the cupboard under the stairs. Not that she is abused, it is just they prefer her sister. In the end, grown up, living on her own, and after psychiatric treatment she gets a dog. Now she has a friend who does not demand anything other than walks – except there is a problem which could cause trouble ahead. She thinks she would like to introduce it to Benjy. It is a fascinating monologue and as someone who began doing stand up comedy, after an earlier life as a dancer, Dowie is a master of the art switching between the characters in the story and taking the audience with her helped by nothing more than a lectern on which maybe the text of the play rests and which she occasionally consults, and a glass of water on a table beside it. She is a damaged child to be sorry for then - as Benjy - someone to beware of. The hammer which features is not actually used by Benjy but its use is inspired by her. Swansong really is an evening like no other, one to relish, enjoy and one which makes you think afterwards. This is a masterly swansong and that she was tempted out of retirement to return to where she began is something to celebrate.

Cast

Claire Dowie

Creatives

Director & Designer – Colin Watkeys