Rhiannon McCall: Eat Slay Love

Rhiannon McCall

With a strong theatrical background, the prospect of a solo show by Rhiannon McCall was an anticipative one. Stepping away from the safety net of ensemble improvisation (Snort, MacKenzie’s Daughters, The Salem Bitch Trials), Eat Slay Love is a character comedy in which McCall introduces us to self-help guru Dr. Rhirhi on her latest book tour – complete with a back catalogue of hilarious titles.

The nerves are evident as to be expected, but ultimately they prevent McCall from grounding herself in this character, so when the wheels come off as planned, the result isn’t as satisfying as it could be, because we don’t see a dramatic enough change in the doctor’s false sense of stability, which is fundamentally what the show is about.

Structurally, the third act comes from left field, and can afford to be seeded earlier, and while there is a simplicity to the narrative that allows McCall room for depth, ironically, the jokes remain surface level. There’s also the odd bit of craft missing, such as the rule of three for the “mimosa time” and “congratulating” bit.

It all makes me wonder what director Laura Daniel contributed to the show. The self-help guru provides plenty of material to lampoon, and while McCall might not slay her solo debut, the character, structure, and jokes are all there. At the moment, it just feels a bit safe. The comedy comes when McCall commits to taking a risk, and with more rigor in exploring the depth and resilience of the material, her comedic voice, and the consequent confidence to deliver it, will no doubt develop.