Review: Weather Girl at Soho Theatre
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Four Stars)
Weather Girl, having transferred to Soho Theatre after an award-winning sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, is a sharply written, deeply affecting one-woman show. Produced by Francesca Moody, whose previous productions include Fleabag, Baby Reindeer, and Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder, the play expertly balances dark humour with its heavier subject matter.
Written by Brian Watkins, Weather Girl introduces us to Stacey, a sunny California weather presenter whose cheerful on-screen persona contrasts sharply with the struggles she hides behind her smile. Behind the glamour of her TV persona, Stacey is grappling with alcoholism, the trauma her mother’s homelessness and addiction, and the impending doom of the climate crisis. It’s a cocktail of chaos, and we follow Stacey as she attempts to navigate the murky waters of her life while maintaining her perfect public facade.
The play starts with Stacey’s trademark optimism, with her bright delivery, cheerful voice and infectious energy. But as the hour progresses, the layers peel away and the weight of the story begins to settle on the audience. By the end, we're not just witness to Stacey's struggles, we are choking on the literal smog (with dry ice used throughout in a clever and immersive design) that signals the coming environmental apocalypse she’s been warning us about. The twisty, unexpected turns in the narrative keep you on edge, never quite sure where things will go next, but you’re hooked the entire time.
Julia McDermott, in the role of Stacey, delivers a captivating performance. Her ability to shift between the sunny, smiley weather girl and the vulnerable woman struggling to hold it all together is incredibly impressive. McDermott has the audience in the palm of her hand from start to finish, pulling us through Stacey’s rollercoaster of emotions. It’s a performance that demands attention and McDermott delivers it with remarkable skill.
Tyne Rafaeli’s direction ensures the show is slick and pacey, never lingering too long in any one moment and always moving forward while maintaining emotional depth. The lighting design by Isabella Byrd is another standout element, cleverly shifting between the cold, clinical white of the studio, the heat of burning buildings, and the bold green screen backdrop Stacey uses to report on the weather. There’s no need for any set changes, just clever lighting and McDermott’s seamless transitions, and we’re transported between different locations effortlessly.
Weather Girl is a rollercoaster ride of humour and urgency. It’s a poignant exploration of living in a world where everything feels like it’s on the brink of disaster, and one woman’s attempt to keep it all together under the glaring spotlight of a camera. Funny, sharp, and devastating, it’s a play that will have you reflecting long after the fog has cleared.
While Weather Girl has now concluded its run at Soho Theatre, I have no doubt it will have a future life elsewhere.
Photos by Mihaela Bodlovic