GUSH
★★★☆☆ Fine performance
Traverse Theatre: Fri 10 – Sat 25 Apr 2026
Review by Hugh Simpson
The Traverse’s world premiere of GUSH by Jess Brodie is a considered piece of theatre, excellently performed.
Ally, played by Jessica Hardwick, is in the final days of pregnancy and more than ready to be a mother, especially since it hasn’t been an easy journey getting to this stage. But she still has questions about her identity, questions that she feels can’t be answered after she gives birth.
Jessica Hardwick in GUSH. Pic: Mihaela Bodlovic.
The one-hander tells of the conflicts between the expectations of society and the needs of the individual, and how simple acts of self-determination can lead to the label of ‘selfish’.
This isn’t heavy going, however. Gently humorous rather than laugh-out-loud funny, it’s a skilful piece of writing. Ally’s character is delicately drawn, with her concerns, strengths and imperfections cleverly expressed through her monologue and her dealings with others.
Ally isn’t entirely sympathetic by any means. Indeed, this points to the play’s weakness; the character’s relentless self-involvement, however justifiable it may be, means that it is difficult to sustain the narrative over the whole piece.
the minutiae of daily life
Much of this is impressive, however, with the minutiae of daily life combined with more poetic moments in a way that comes across as natural. Which is matched by an extremely accomplished performance by Hardwick; the rhythms of the piece are reflected by a multifaceted, endlessly responsive characterisation, aided greatly by Becky Hope-Palmer’s sympathetic direction.
Jessica Hardwick in GUSH. Pic: Mihaela Bodlovic.
The structure does come across as a shade formulaic, something highlighted by the abrupt and artificial transitions between scenes. The otherwise evocative lighting of Renny Robertson and Niroshini Thambar’s effectively rumbling sound design, do signpost these changes a little too clearly.
Furthermore, despite everyone’s best efforts, there is little in the way of arresting visual content; this is one of these productions that has the feel of a radio play on stage. Becky Minto’s set provides an elegant backdrop, but some cushion-throwing aside, there’s not much action to draw the eye.
the conflict here is internal
Which is fair enough, as most of the conflict here is internal, with Ally’s struggles being largely with herself. She is soon going to be seen as ‘school run mum’, living in a ‘knitted world’, which conflicts with her image of herself. That is what provides the drama here, and Hardwick’s performance is more than up to the task.
Running time: One hour and 15 minutes (no interval)
Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge St, EH1 2ED
Friday 10 – Saturday 25 April 2026 (previews Fri 10, Sat 11, run Tue 14 – Sat 25)
Tues – Sat at 7.00 pm; Matinees Sat 18, Sat 25 at 2.30pm
Tickets and details: Book here.
Jessica Hardwick in GUSH. Pic: Mihaela Bodlovic.
ENDS
