Lemonade was one of those shows that I was looking around for something to fill a schedule gap with a show approximately in the same area as I would be spending most of the day (in this case in and around the Stand, Voodoo Rooms and Assembly Rooms). So it was one of those serendipitous finds - a show that was one of the best I've seen.
Lemonade is a self-written solo show from a fabulous actress called Heather Litteer. She plays a namesake character called Heather and the basic story follows her from Southern childhood through moving to New York and her struggles to become an actress. Along the way there is drink, drugs, anguish, illness, knee operations and above all a seething undercurrent of misogyny. From stage dancing through being a background video babe to playing hookers (a lot of hookers) on TV - the stifling air of exploitation and abuse is never far away. One story in particular, about her agreeing to perform a particular sex act in a breakthrough indy feature with a hotshot young director and an up-an-coming actress, and how that scene followed her through the rest of her career up until a heart-breaking chance meeting with the by-then well-established director was beautifully and emotionally told.
Oh, and there's the ongoing side-story of the relationship between Heather and her mother, culminating in an inevitable ending but shattering none the same. There are several Twin Peaks style interludes as we get a glimpse into Heather's inner monologue - think the Red Room in the Black Lodge ... I know it sounds bleak, and when you think about it it is, but there is lots of humour in it too.
It would all fall apart without a mesmeric performance from Ms. Litteer. She IS Heather. Lazy hacks use the adjective "fearless" to describe an actress' performance where she puts herself out there physically; Ms. Litteer does that but she mainly puts herself through the emotional wringer. It's a hugely impressive performance. The staging, lighting and sound effects are understated so all the better when they are used for impact or effect. What seem like odd props to start with become very well chosen when the story gets going and Ms. Litteer uses them in unexpected ways.
It's a bit rude and goes to some dark places so if you're looking for a light, bright and breezy way to spend a Fringe afternoon this may not be for you. But if you're looking for a fascinating, challenging piece of work with a star-making performance at its heart then this is the one to see ...
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