Words: Charlie Sampson

3 stars

Jessie Cave’s An Ecstatic Display offers an intimate glimpse into the chaos of motherhood, complex relationships, and grief. Entering with a nervous energy that she jokes makes everyone tense, Cave paradoxically puts the audience at ease, as if assuring them she’ll always be more awkward.

Her anecdotal storytelling remains her strong point, detailing receiving a heartbreak pep talk while getting a Hollywood wax and a particularly poignant story involving her determined yet humorous attempt to give birth on her late brother’s birthday in the search for “symbolism”.

A standout element is her use of a puppet cushion of Alfie for mock couples therapy sessions. These segments are both raw and relatable, capturing the frustrations and miscommunications that characterise real-life arguments, like her yearning to shout in disputes simply because “it feels GOOD.”

Throughout the performance, Cave frequently acknowledges her perceived shortcomings, whether it’s moments she feels didn’t land or bits she worries the audience won’t enjoy. While her self-deprecating humour is endearing, these disclaimers occasionally undermine the work’s impact, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy where the audience’s experience mirrors her own insecurities.

An Ecstatic Display remains a touching exploration of the messiness of life, deftly balancing humour and heartache. However, it needs slightly more cohesion between the elements and confidence in delivery.

Jessie Cave: An Ecstatic Display
Upstairs @ Assembly Roxy
12:45
1-25 Aug