Words: Caitlin Finnerty
Image: Hudson Hughes

3 stars

Anna Hale’s Control Freak is a chaotic, quirky blend of comedy, music, and confessional theatre that’s part musical, part therapy session. Armed with a piano, guitar, and a fantastic voice, Hale delivers original songs and self-aware humour in a show that feels both highly personal and slightly unpredictable.

Opening with a song, Hale establishes herself as a control freak who ‘has always been loud’, think Rachel Berry from Glee meets Olive from Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. Her original song Down is a standout, and her voice is genuinely impressive, at times hitting high notes that wouldn’t feel out of place in a West End audition.

The show, however, occasionally struggles to find its tone. Some jokes don’t land, and the audience is sometimes unsure whether to laugh, cry, or just check in on her. It’s intense, occasionally uncomfortable, but undeniably honest. Control Freak shines brightest when it leans into its messy honesty. While the show needs some tightening, there’s something compelling about watching someone crash out on their own terms. If you’re a 20-something woman with anxiety, this might feel like a mirror. If not, it’s still an interesting, if slightly erratic, hour.

Anna Hale: Control Freak 
Cellar at Pleasance 
17:30
Aug 7-24