Performed and written by Brian James O'Sullivan, this is a semi-autobiographical tale of how he emerged from a low point in his life.
I say "tale", but that would be to minimise the cleverness of the "play" structure. Over the 50 minutes we see 3 Brians - the performer, the writer, and the character - as he both tells and deconstructs his story. Oh, and he even does the introduction that, in a more conventional production, would be done my a member of the Traverse staff.
If this sounds confusing the reality is different, as O'Sullivan guides through exactly what he's doing, providing his own narrator as part of the performance. It's all very meta, but done in such an entertaining way that it enhances rather than hinders. He uses a goodly number of props, and all of the space, right into the audience, to keep things mixed up, but the central story is never neglected.
The character Brian has been depressed, and seeks a way forward by spending a period in a monastery. One of the monks, Brother Felix (who, during the meetings, is played by the recorded voice of another actor, and spurs a bit of improv from O'Sullivan), talks with him, revealing his own humanity, ways of dealing with problems, and prompting Brian to look more within himself for what he needs.
It's a hugely entertaining show, full of laughs, but with some serious points to make. And if there's not really any profound ending, no answer to life, perhaps it offers something better than such trite simplicity. One of the best PPPs I've ever seen.
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