Created by Maya Shoham

Review by Dominic Corr

Just The Attic at Just The Tonic at The Mash House

When you’re nearing the last week of the Festival Fringe, take it from us: you run out of words fast. So, if you thought you knew what In Other Words was about, or would be like – you’re wrong. It will, potentially, leave you lost for words. We certainly were. What initially appears to be a more run-of-the-mill solo show of personal anecdotes and discovery unfolds as an unhinged, energetic, and profoundly crafted piece of theatre that flirts with spoken word, cabaret, and stand-up.

A striking Fringe outing, In Other Words grapples with the lens of a multilingual mind, and the difficulties which come from clashing cultures and misunderstandings. Gradually, a re-telling of Maya Shoham’s life growing up, in a way many will recognise – particularly any who went to an overseas school, or travelled a lot as a kid. Gradually, the worries of fitting in and trying to coax out the words on the tip of the tongue become a stand-off in which fabricated words are traded off with the deadweight of the English language as things begin to get abstract.

There was no expectation of the level of creativity in props, twists, and reveals that the production offers. Hell, most audiences would have enjoyed Maya Shoham’s storytelling-rich performance without the unfolding treats. From the decorations adorning the stage to their chapter titles and reveals – In Other Words at times leaves you stunned into silence with how much effort has gone into the creation of this, and the fluidity with which Shoham transitions to the maddening plot.

Indeed, for an outing, the only drawbacks come from the production’s teething stages of Fringe life. Its hectic energy risks losing some of the audience, particularly with the larger reveals later in the production of the ‘solo’ show. But the effort and talent behind these changes is of a remarkably high standard, and in time, will iron out any kinks.

Very probably the best show on at the Fringe you aren’t aware of, In Other Words channels a lucid word-scape of humour and pathos into an hour which can rival the best of comedies and tackle the biggest theatre. This humble and authentic story turns a self-contained tale into something universal. An outing to be proud of, and a show, a writer, and a team with plenty of future Fringes to look forward to.

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