★★★★
Bipolar Disorder is not an easy diagnosis to come to terms with. Anyone who has faced this label in their life will know that. Mari Crawford does not mince her words when recalling the moment this happened to her.
This show is a beautifully presented window into Mari’s own private world – a world forever changed by this scary and disorientating diagnosis.
This portrayal of Bipolar disorder is not one of defeat. This woman sharing her story is not a burnt-out victim of her condition. In ‘Bipolar Badass’ we see exactly that – a bonafide badass unafraid to bear her soul and share rare insights mined from many years of facing deeply difficult personal challenges.
This dazzlingly bright-eyed young woman has a charm all her own – a vivacious energy that fills the stage.
Mari’s attention to detail is also worth mentioning – she has adorned the boundary of the stage with an abundance of pill bottles – not just any pill bottles, but the actual ones used over the past decade of her life – you can even see, if you look closely, her name printed on each one, each bottle drained of their contents, this line-up of medical souvenirs serving to remind the audience just how real this story is, and just how intense Bipolar Disorder is to manage day to day – medication being a key element of Mari’s recovery process and journey to maintaining wellness.
This show is an impressive feat of vulnerability, wit, strength and sheer hard work.
I’m excited to see how this polished half-hour of candid storytelling might evolve – the sky is the limit for this talented young star. Mari is a powerful role model for anyone struggling with a Bipolar diagnosis and the painful challenges it brings.
Bipolar Badass is on at Paradise in the Vaults till the 27th August.
Review by Alice McCullough
