Cough – Unhappen Presents

Overview

Cough, presented by Unhappen, is a playful poke at the tendency to overprotect kids, stamping out the happy chaos of childhood. This phenomenon of bubble-wrapping feels all too common these days, and where better to study its effects than the contemporary childcare centre.

Playwright and former childcare worker Emily Calder’s colourful script is stitched together from firsthand experiences. Whilst some scenes venture into the fantastical, others strike a more realistic chord, mirroring that painfully familiar fussy parent.

The plot revolves around a trio of children and their parents, played by the same actors. However, harmony is disrupted when a fourth friend enters their circle, the domineering and highly imaginative Frank. He becomes the mischievous ringleader, inventing an evil monster named Brian, with giant gnashing teeth and an appetite for small boys and girls. The fear this instils in his playmates feeds back into the temperamental angst of their parents. And as the play unfolds, pet peeves escalate into hysterical anxieties.

A magnetic performer, Vanessa Cole plays first-time mother, Isabella (and daughter, Isla). Oozing passive aggressiveness, she is the pulsing heart of parental angst. Constantly quizzing the childcare workers, her condescending quips are perfectly placed, as is her intent and borderline manic gaze.

Tim Reuben plays struggling single father Clive (and son, Finlay). Initially composed, he is consumed by a pedantic hatred of dirt, raging obsessively against the centre's sandpit. Melissa Brownlow plays the rationalising Jules (and her rebellious daughter, Jess). However, surrounded by the toxic anxieties of Clive and Isabelle, her endearing optimism breaks down. And finally, Tom Christophersen plays the slippery Frank. He makes for the perfect creepy kid, brimming with wild stories and demonic energy. Also, his commitment to a violent coughing fit is simply hilarious.

A key strength of this production is the dynamic and inventive staging. Through craft materials, puppets and plastic balls aplenty, the childhood pursuit of make-believe is magnified and honoured. Constant clouds of smoke frame the set, building to a particularly mesmeric scene featuring light and bubbles. Led by director James Dalton, the creative team has stretched the limits of a small space to create a visually immersive experience.

There are some sharp turns into the surreal towards the end, as seemingly negligible worries quickly transform into legitimate danger. Though these plot developments are a little hard to keep up with, the concluding scenes are rewarding.

If you think about a cough, it’s generally symptomatic of something else. In this case, anxiety is the nasty contaminant that spreads throughout the group. Its infectiousness acts to unpick the networks of trust that bind the characters together. Calder's play explores the premature imposition of adulthood on children, yearning for the joy of fantasy. Combined with bold directorial decisions and a committed cast, it is hoisted to new heights.

Image by Lucy Parakhina.