Addicts lie. Whether that’s to get what they need or to deal with the shame and discomfort of their condition, it’s a truth that can’t be avoided.
Nick Pupo’s powerful storytelling show is all about learning what it is to be an addict. Running through it is a timeline of his valued friendship with Charlie, who he’s known since he was a little kid and whose lives took very different paths.
While romantic Charlie remained committed to the United States’ Just Say No to drugs campaign, Pupo broke important (and, yes, sometimes youthfully naïve) promises he made to his pal, among them embarking upon a narcotics journey from a tragically young age.
He artfully talks us through his progression from weed to heroin, the betrayals and forgivenesses, woozy highs and scares, and there’s a great gag about the moment he knew he’d hit rock bottom. There’s a lot of pain and sincerity here, and Pupo’s performance is captivating, committed and devoid of self-pity.
If you’re looking for a comedy show that’s big on laughs, you should perhaps go elsewhere (I do think it should have been placed in a separate section, such as theatre or storytelling, where I’d have given it a four-star review), but if you want to learn and be moved by some beautifully vivid narrative and an honest, charismatic performance, this show is warmly recommended.
You can never honestly tell an addict’s story by ending it on a high – a they-all-lived-happily-ever-after smile celebrating the moment that person kicked the drugs, alcohol or whatever – because it simply doesn’t work like that. Pupo acknowledges this, and it’s a privilege to be invited into the truth of his story.
Ashley Davies
18.10
Just the Tonic at the Mash House
Until 27 Aug (not 14)
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22Nick%20Pupo%3A%20Addicted%22
