Unpacked – Camden People’s Theatre, Euston (Camden Fringe)

Writer: Christina Morelli 
Director: Kathryn Gardner

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

“Poised & Personable“

4.5 / 5

Writer and performer Christina Morelli is a former ballet dancer who raises the barre at Camden Fringe with her very en pointe observations about diet culture, body dysmorphia and learning to love yourself.  

From the moment Morelli steps on stage with her little red suitcase, she is perfectly poised, putting the presentation skills she reminisces about from high school to impressive use. She is an incredible storyteller, recounting each stage of her life with well-paced anecdotes and recalled memories that paint such a vivid picture that it’s almost as though you have been part of her story the entire time. Her personable approach automatically brings the audience on side, her warm and engaging manner on stage familiar enough to make you immediately resonate, sympathise or engage with the relatable experiences she has lived through.  

The audience are taken chronologically through Morelli’s life, from her childhood in USA in a large Italian American family, where she first fell in love with dance and the feeling of freedom that came with the choreographed routines. But teenagers, and the dance industry are unforgiving and judgemental, forcing her to quickly begin scrutinising her body, desperate to get and stay skinny, no matter what it took. The comments made about her weight have always stuck with her, never completely comfortable in her own skin, as much as she tries to block out the self-criticism. But, although there are moments of poignancy and emotion – Morelli recounts her story with a brilliantly funny attitude, filled with well-paced quips and self-depreciating humour, while never being too harsh on herself.  
 
The suitcase she brings on stage for various props and costume changes, as well as the projected images on the back of the stage, is incorporated well into the show, with just enough additions to break up each story segment without distrupting the flow of the performance. This is a raw, honest, unfiltered narrative where Morelli completely unpacks her life and feelings – an engaging show from this fabulous performer.  

Runs Until 4^th August 2024