It is estimated that more than 3 million people are currently living with cancer in the UK, a figure expected to rise to 4 million by 2030 and 5.3 million by 2040. There has been a noticeable increase in cases among those aged under 30, prompting a reassessment of who a “typical” patient is and what their circumstances might look like.
I’m Not Being Funny (written by Piers Black) is based on his own experience of living with cancer in his twenties. Although not strictly autobiographical, it is an authentic and unique portrayal of life with a cancer diagnosis.
The play follows a young couple with a three-year-old daughter, facing the reality of living with cancer and realising you won’t live to see your child grow up – or possibly even hear her laugh.
Billie and Peter lock themselves in their living room until they’ve got a “tight five” for the open mic night tomorrow that they have signed up for. As they dig through their past for material, some jokes hurt and laughter isn’t always the best medicine. With the clock ticking and nothing but a baby monitor for an audience, they wrestle with the spotlight as questions about their future are forced to the surface.
Piers Black has created an admirable story on a topic rarely brought to the stage. But there is a lot of filler in this 90 minute piece. Fifty percent of the show is them practising their jokes for the gig but none of it is funny (I get that that’s the title of the show). It’s more uncomfortable and a little boring after a while.
Cancer isn’t a funny topic and it isn’t really even mentioned within the show – just implied – but maybe that’s what is missing.
Perhaps the comedy could have been about the reality of living with cancer in your twenties and the funny aspects of doctors appointments and such. I could understand what the characters were trying to do but it felt like a missed opportunity to actually find humour in the horror, rather than dancing around mundane parts of their lives.
Directed by Bryony Shanahan, the small space is used well and actors Tia Bannon and Jerome Yates play Billie and Peter nicely.
I’m Not Being Funny at Bush Theatre does exactly what it says on the tin but this admirable attempt feels like it has leaned into the wrong part of the story.
★★★
West End Wilma
Chilled performance – Sat 23 May, 8 pm
Captioned performance – Wed 27 May, 8 pm
Audio described performance – Sat 30 May, 8 pm
After its run at Bush Theatre, I’m Not Being Funny will transfer to Bristol Old Vic from 23 to 27 June.
