REVIEW: HOW DID I GET HERE? By Helen Squires at The Bread & Roses Theatre 20 August – 7 September 2024

‘watching Alex finding joy is a fascinating journey in this important play about addiction’ ★★★★★

Making waves Theatre Company make new theatre for social change, with a particular focus on those who don’t have easy access. All the performances are relaxed, a great asset for anyone who might feel uncomfortable especially given the topics of the show. The company’s debut show, on knife crime, was well received and after a break of a few years they’re back with this show about addiction. 

The show opens with Alex talking back to his mother. He is refusing to go into a treatment centre, but she isn’t giving him an option. At this stage Luke Madaj as Alex is giving a ‘void’ like performance, not very promising, until we find out that his character is depressed. The pieces all begin to fit together as his backstory is drip fed into the drama along with two other addicts who are hooked on different things (alcohol/substances and lottery gambling). 

The drama is extremely well researched by writer Helen Squires, with the help of dramaturg Parvinder Shergill (who is also an NHS Mental Health doctor).  It shows how the sessions are run, with a twelve-step programme, the participants are encouraged to open up about their conditions. In the words of the alcoholic, they ‘only remember the good things’ , they’re ‘addicted to pressing that giant self-destruction button’ and they ‘do it because it’s fun’. The gambling addict has a very different take with an horrific back story, it’s the buzz of that first win which proves to be the hook. As for Alex, he cannot understand why he’s a good fit for an addiction centre, but with help of the counsellor gentling coaxing him, he comes to a better understanding of his condition.

It is a beautiful story as we see the three addicts bonding and learning to trust each other.  It’s a mixture of challenging each other, humorous exchanges and fellow feeling, giving each other support.  Watching Alex finding joy is a fascinating journey.   

Yan Toby-Amisi, as Theo, the counsellor and recovering addict, feels totally  authentic. His performance shows patience and quiet empathy with his charges. Niamh Drumgoole as Izzy, the lottery ticket addict with the traumatic past, is really endearing. Luke Madaj as Alex makes an astonishing professional debut, with a depth of character, which is percolated through as his story progresses, he gives a charming portrayal. 

Above all Erica Tavares-Kouassi gives fine performances in her roles as the mother and the alcoholic/substance abuser.  She is an outstanding and flawless character actor. Also of note, the direction by Yusuf Niazi.   It is impressive that the show has such credibility without the use of set (or many props). It uses projection to emphasize the passing of the days, and the number of steps reached on the programme.

Only three steps are given before the addicts may be considered to be ready to leave. Finding out the triggers for their conditions is essential so that they can work on themselves once they are back home. It isn’t a straight line, it’s more of a lifetime struggle.  It’s a really important play, raising the understanding of these illnesses, in an illuminating and entertaining way.

HOW DID I GET HERE? at The Bread & Roses Theatre, Clapham 20 August – 7 September 2024

Box Office: https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/whats-on.html

produced by Making Waves Theatre Company

written by Helen Squires, directed by Yusuf Niazi

Cast:

Luke Madaj

Yan Toby-Amisi

Erica Taveres-Kouassi

Niamh Drumgoole