23/08/19

Paradise in the Vault, Edinburgh

Stalking. It’s not a subject I’ve given much thought to. I mean, I know about it, of course; I’ve read stories of celebrities frightened by obsessive fans, of women killed by men who refuse to let them go. But it’s always seemed rare and niche, the kind of thing that never happens to people that you actually know.

UCL Runaround’s documentary drama, Souvenirs, disabuses me of this notion. An estimated one million people are stalked in the UK every year. Their experiences are not sensational enough to make the news; guilt and fear might mean they don’t even tell their friends.

Based on interviews and research, and supported by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, Poppy Crumpton’s script focuses on four monologues, showing the various forms stalking can take. Alice (Becki Pauley) can’t seem to shake off her ex. They met at uni, so all their friends are mutual. No one really believes her when she tries to reveal what’s happening.

Oisin (Dan Barber) regrets a one-night stand he had; the guy’s infatuated with him, texting him, phoning him, the first to respond to every social media post. Oisin works in theatre; he can’t do his job without an online presence

Rex (Sam Jones)’s problem is a neighbour, an old woman hellbent on causing him grief.

Lucy (Lizzie Miesenboeck) seems sweet. She’s earnest and articulate. But the crush she has on her lecturer is ruining his life.

This is an ambitious project, but co-directors Crumpton and Joey Jepps succeed in making it work. The cross-cutting between stories is nicely handled, and the real impact of such behaviour – online as well as in person – is cleverly exposed. The ever-present paperwork – screwed up, tossed aside, straightened out, boxed up – is a neat illustration of how stalkers insinuate their ways into their victims’ lives, obliging them to collect and store evidence, forcing them into mutual obsession. It’s horrible.

All four actors present their characters with real conviction; this is an eye-opening production with a strong message.