Hard Pill by People You May Know Productions is a grounded and powerful story about virginity and contraception that also explores ideas surrounding ego, confidence and maturity. Offering an honest look at contemporary attitudes towards sexuality, particularly among young people, the show follows Astrid as she encounters a disapproving and overly critical pharmacist while attempting to collect the morning-after pill, with plenty of hilarious moments scattered throughout. On top of the wonderful performances throughout, this is an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of sexuality, confidence and growing up.
Stepping into the Auditorium at Bedlam Theatre, the crowd are instantly transported into the heart of one of the most recognisable British landmarks to ever exist: a Boots pharmacy waiting room. The iconic logo is brazenly displayed across a dispensary-style staging, allowing the audience, especially British viewers, to immediately identify where the story is set. This is where the audience are first introduced to the larger-than-life and eccentric pharmacist, played by the wonderful Aubrey McCance, who captures all the stereotypes of pharmacists and receptionists perfectly. I think almost everyone has had the experience of having to ring up a local doctor’s office, where we are forced to chat with a prying individual on the other end of the phone who is almost judgemental about whatever you need to see someone about. With incredibly over-the-top reactions, including a sequence of intense side-eyeing towards Astrid as she asks for the morning-after pill, and highly unprofessional, judgemental comments throughout, this character injects a sense of comedy while also allowing the audience to consider how the attitudes of others can make this process even more difficult and shameful than it needs to be. What is particularly clever about this production is the fact that the team has decided to strip back all the theatrical elements, such as excessive set changes and props, with the entirety of the story taking place within the confines of this pharmacy. This essentially forces the audience to focus solely on the characters being brought to life on stage and the complex perspectives surrounding sexuality, ego and confidence that many young people battle with.
The story of the show itself centres around Astrid, played by the incredible Iris Hedley, who finds herself in the waiting room of a local pharmacy in search of the morning-after pill following a recent sexual experience. Despite not being provided with the medication she has come looking for, she is encouraged to sit and wait for this prescription to be filled, despite others very swiftly coming into the store and getting what they needed. This is a painful commentary on the unfair way people, within this story particularly the pharmacist, view those needing this medication, and how difficult it can be to access these important drugs. Highlighting how difficult it can be to collect this necessary medication is a very important aspect of the show and can only have a positive effect on the outside world and its perspective on this medication. In terms of the character herself, Astrid presents herself as a powerful and highly confident young woman. However, as her friends join her to wait, the audience start to see that she is also struggling with the anxieties and pressures that young people often face. Astrid is initially joined by one of her close friends, Sonia, played by the insanely talented Natalie Urusov, as they wait to collect what she needs. In almost total contrast to her best friend Astrid, Sonia is a much more reserved and shy character who also possesses very traditional views on sexuality. It is clear to see that both performers have incredible chemistry, both on and off stage, as they are able to effortlessly connect with each other. When they clash over the recent sexual activity, this really amplifies the tension between the two. The next character to take to the stage is the hilarious Harry, played by the brilliant Matt Cleg, who helps to inject even more comedy throughout the show. He is initially presented as naive and oblivious to the pressures around him, but as the show continues, these defences are peeled away to show that it is not just young women who face anxieties and pressures surrounding sex. One of my personal highlights was the sequence where Harry is encouraged to practise his pick-up techniques, which leads to a series of hilarious struggles with flirting with the opposite sex that had the audience howling with laughter throughout!
In conclusion, Hard Pill by People You May Know Productions is a totally grounded and hyper-realistic look at contemporary views surrounding sexuality and virginity that empowers young people to really think about being true to themselves and staying safe. The stripped-back staging and theatrical elements mean that almost everyone is able to not only relate to the array of perspectives shared, but also leave the audience with something to think about hours after the show has come to an end. I would rate this show 3 out of 5 stars!
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