Review: Cuckoo — Equal parts harrowing and hilarious: Michael Wynne’s latest production opens at Royal Court Theatre
Cuckoo is a bold exploration of mental wellbeing, familial dynamics and self-discovery, following Megyn as she comes of age in an increasingly digital and disconnected world.
Cuckoo is a bold exploration of mental wellbeing, familial dynamics and self-discovery. We follow Megyn, played by Emma Harrison in her professional debut, as she navigates coming of age in an increasingly digital and disconnected world. Themes of generational trauma, human connection and belonging run throughout. Above all, Cuckoo invites the audience to confront uncomfortable truths and challenges the stigmas associated with mental health.
The stage design is simple and understated, with the entire story contained in one space, the matriarch’s living room. A dining table and four chairs sit in the centre, double doors open to show us a glimpse of patio garden and the gentle hum of a kettle boiling reverberates through the kitchen service hatch. The familiar design captures domestic life flawlessly.
Michael Wynne’s script gives each character room to breathe, drawing out the small tensions and tendernesses of a family quietly coming apart and back together. The performances are uniformly strong, with moments of real warmth cutting through the discomfort.
Cuckoo (in partnership with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse) is showing at Royal Court Theatre until 19th August 2023. Tickets and further information are available here.
