I will freely admit that I first became aware of this show through its obvious click bait title, but reading the premise it sounded pretty fascinating so booked it up.
I'm really glad I did as what we had was a one-woman show detailing her real-life experiences with Scientology and how it impacted and bankrupted her and has repercussions to this day.
Ms. Schenkelberg was and still is an actress and voice-over performer when, after a few life setbacks, met a former colleague at an audition and they ended up spending most of the day with this lady enthusing Ms. S about what Scientology had done for her, recommending Dianetics and all that stuff.
It took a little while but gradually she got sucked in, spending more and more money and more and more time going through courses, auditing and all manner of trials and tribulations. She had to keep earning more and more money as the Scientologists took out ever more credit cards in her name. She had a daughter who was later enrolled in a Scientology school and eventually her marriage fell apart and she was estranged and isolated from her family and friends.
Look, it's not a cheery story. I don't want to spoil it, but as she's here in Edinburgh talking it through as well as performing cabaret it's safe to say she got out the other end. It's a fascinating tale with a very positive message at the conclusion - as she had pushed so many people away in her pursuit of the higher levels misbelieving she would find her answers, she had realised that the only things that matter and the only answers needed are family and friends.
It's a staggering performance from Ms. S - initially quite relaxed and humorous, she ratchets up the intensity until there is huge emotion and power at the end. It's a great solo show and gut-wrenching in places. Go see it.
As for the "Squeeze My Cans" title? The "cans" refer to the metal rods a subject holds while being "counselled" by auditors using the E-meter. "Your needle is floating" apparently being indicative of having achieved some level of transcendental peace ...
Just an aside, unfortunately this show was taking place net to another performance space where a Korean drumming troupe were performing - sadly there was a lot of audio and bass leakage. The force of Ms. S's story and performance was more than capable of overcoming this, but it was an annoying distraction.
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