Gruesome Playground Injuries – The Glitch, Waterloo  

Writer: Rajiv Joseph
Director: Max Kirk

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

“Intriguing Duologues“

3.5 / 5

Doug is an accident prone, adrenaline junkie – always getting injuries from silly ideas like riding his bike off a roof while pretending to be Evel Knievel. Not so clumsy, but still always in the doctor’s office is Kayleen – reserved and measured, but full of worry and self-critique. The pair spark up an unlikely friendship that spans across decades as they do their best to heal each-others physical and metaphorical wounds.

Rajiv Joseph’s script is interesting, giving enough insight into both characters without going too into depth with detailed backstories or lengthy introductions. The story is told in a non-linear style, jumping between school years and adulthood, documenting the various interactions between the pair throughout the years. Max Kirk ensures that the different time periods are clear and easy to follow, with frequent costume changes and background music signifying the decade. However, although the costume changes do assist in mapping the progression of time, they are frequent and time-consuming, often diluting any momentum built in prior scenes. It would be helpful if the costumes (and various injuries that get painted onto the body) were quicker and easier to administer, because switching between head to toe looks for a 5–10-minute scene doesn’t feel warranted or add enough to the production to feel useful. The first scene especially could be much more impactful if both Doug (Seb Carrington) and Kayleen (Katie Matsell) appeared on stage already dressed in school uniform, rather than being in alternative clothes, then changing as soon as the show begins – a very curious choice that frustrates rather than entices.

Matsell and Carrington play their respective roles wonderfully. First introduced in the school nurses office, the pair depict childhood intrigue and frankly, pretty gross mannerisms completely spot on. Their body language and dialogue naturally matures and relaxes as they get older, though they still maintain the core characteristics of each personality well. Doug is always the more rambunctious of the two, excitable and filled with energy, though there’s a loneliness that radiates from him, adding an extra layer to his more questionable decisions – such as climbing a telephone in a thunderstorm, signifying it’s possibly something more than just being the daredevil he proclaims to be. Kayleen on the other hand is much more upfront with her struggles, tenderly showing Doug her self-harm scars at one point, with a vulnerable, wounded approach that is fantastically shown by Matsell.

The chemistry between them is brilliantly intriguing to watch, and the various snapshots of their lives is captivating as you slowly get to know more about their troubled stories. An intriguing show with many narrative layers, it’s only the multitude of clothing layers constantly being amended, that is holding this production back from being completely consuming.

Runs until 24^th March 2025