Amy Lamé’s ‘Unhappy Birthday’ interactive performance piece serves as an invite to her Morrissey themed birthday party. Over the course of this self-penned piece, Miss Lamé demonstrates just how much of a fan she is of the bequiffed 80’s pop legend.
Audience members/party guests sit in a circle around a table with a massive birthday present on it although as indicated by an empty chair with a nametag attached, we are missing one guest, Morrissey himself.
As the party proceeds our hostess works her best to ensure that we are all having a good time pleading with us to remember that, “It’s a party right, is everyone having fun; F.U.N?’’
The party games soon commence with ‘Pass the Parcel’ and as each layer of wrapping is removed, something of Amy is revealed as it is, in how they respond to their task, of whichever party guest is fortunate/unfortunate enough to have it land in their lap.
The games vary in their difficulty and indeed awkwardness (singing a Morrissey song, guessing the weight of the birthday cake, having the hostess come onto you). All of this adds to the general feeling of social embarrassment. We are guests at a party that is clearly going wrong and getting out of hand, and we’ve all been to one of those parties… right?
Amy’s obsessive passion for Morrissey takes her, and indeed her audience, to extremes. When she realises that her icon may not be attending her party, things take a turn for the (even) worse, with the mood verging towards the more manic, aggressive and anxious. Well, they do say be wary of a fan’s love!
The show relies on its audience and their willingness to get involved, but none of us can match Amy’s dedication or energy, pushing the performance to the next level, fearless in her approach. The show is directed by Scottee, and anyone who has seen any of his own performances will recognise his input and the wonderful touches he brings to the piece that enable Miss Lamé to be the hostess with beyond the mostess.
• Written and performed by Amy Lamé. Directed by Scottee.
• Camden People’s Theatre, 58-60 Hampstead Road, London, NW1 2PY. Runs to 1st June. Box office: 08444 77 1000 and www.cptheatre.co.uk
