This Wan’s Fur Us: Giro Baby by Sophie Sandor | Bethany Watt
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★★★ 1/2
Giro Baby, written and performed by Sophie Sandor, is a captivating story about a young girl’s journey from high school to a career in politics. Notable digressions include: Karen Dunbar, Scooter, and the chippy. Sandor immediately captivates the audience in a hot pink tracksuit dancing to iconic 90’s tunes. The language is Scots, but Scots in a way you’d only really recognise having come from the scheme.
There was a lot in this play that I connected with: a young mother excited about being mistaken for a sister, the archetypes of your day-to-day having names, like Uncle ASBO and Fizzy, and the outreach programmes, charities, and minor celebrities who visit your school trying to motivate students. This is all encapsulated by a thirteen-year-old’s determination to make something of herself: “Save me, Karen Dunbar!”
The character reminded me of my little sister, the strong accent and quick-passed short sentences with a break only to breathe and charge up for the next onslaught of information. It was endearing and childish and offered a perfect conduit for evoking emotion.
For example, when we are told of Sophie waking up with a “cock and balls” drawn on her face at a gaff, the innocent voice and flap-around mannerisms make us laugh in compassion. When she tells us of a suicide in her year or domestic abuse in the exact same register, we commiserate.
But not for long! As Wonderwall or something starts blasting through the speakers, forcing you through the pity.
Unfortunately, the transition from one scene to the next and conversations between more than one person were a bit confusing to follow. I was unsure if the whole story was being told by 13-year-old Sophie, or if when she was talking about being 15 and 16 she was un-freezing herself from scenes as that age. The line between actor and narrator was a bit blurred at points, which made plot development clunky at times.
This did not distract from the talent of the actor. The chosen memories to relive were different enough that they stood out in their own right, which propelled the story to a hilarious full-circle ending, giving everyone in the audience secondhand embarrassment, I’m sure.
Ultimately, the layered writing made me laugh, made me sad, and made me nostalgic. It tickled the working-class chip on my shoulder and left me thinking…Aye, this one was fur us.
You can see oor Sophie in Giro Baby from now until 29th August at Greenside, Jade Studio on George Street.
By Bethany Watt
