Theatre company On The Run had a massive hit with their last show at the Edinburgh Fringe. So It Goes amazed audiences without a single word being uttered. Tell Me Anything takes a different approach to theatrical storytelling, as the spoken word is very much part of the performance.
The story focuses on performer David Ralfe and Kate, his girlfriend of when he was 15 years old. Kate is physically absent from the story, but she is very much present throughout. Kate lived with a condition known as an “atypical anorexia” and the torment and tragedy of this affliction affected their relationship. Tell Me Anything is more than just a story of young love, it is a tale of hardship and mental health.
Ralfe enters the theatre space with an inflatable dolphin strapped to his back. There is a perfectly good reason for this though. The analogy is that a dolphin offers support in times of need, as opposed to smothering someone (like a Kangaroo may do) or getting angry at them during difficult moments (like a human being). This supportive perspective is echoed throughout the performance and presents David Ralfe as a trustworthy and reliable narrator. The audience is in safe hands and right beside David as he delivers his honest and deeply affecting story. We learn about Kate’s problems and how David struggled to help. The narrative constantly moves forward as we uncover more about Kate’s behaviour and David’s own difficulties.
Tell Me Anything takes a refreshing perspective on mental illness. We are not given statistics or possible solutions. Instead the audience is presented with an honest and personal reflection on the strivings of living with unfathomable problems that can cause tensions with the one you love. This approach is powerful, inspiring and deeply profound.