There’s a special kind of thrill in a one-person show. No elaborate set pieces, no ensemble to share the weight – just a single performer, holding the audience in the palm of their hand. ASBO BOZO, now running at Riverside Studios, embraces that challenge with a jagged, anarchic energy, dragging its audience into the unfiltered mind of a woman on the edge. Equal parts hilarious and unsettling, it’s a show that leaves its mark – whether as a bruise or a spark of revelation depends on the viewer.
At the centre of this storm is Georgina Duncan, delivering a performance that is as chaotic as it is precise. She paces, rants, jokes, unravels – slipping between biting social commentary and gut-punch vulnerability with a kind of breathless urgency. There’s no escape from her presence, no moment to disengage, and that’s exactly why it works. Duncan embodies a character who is, at once, entirely unpredictable and heartbreakingly recognisable.
The kind of performance that leaves you gripping your seat – whether from laughter or unease
The script, sharp and unforgiving, mirrors the fractured psyche of its protagonist. It tumbles through spirals of thought, jumping between sardonic humour and raw confession without warning. While this structure adds to the immersive, almost intrusive nature of the piece, it does occasionally teeter on the edge of indulgence. A slightly tighter edit in places might have given the more powerful moments a bit more space to land.
Visually, the production is stripped back to its bare bones – and it works. Lighting shifts mirror the character’s inner turbulence, plunging us into her headspace with minimal distraction. It’s an exercise in letting performance do the heavy lifting, and under smart, measured direction, Duncan makes full use of every inch of the stage. There’s a frantic physicality to her delivery, but it never feels excessive – just another layer to an already gripping piece.
But where ASBO BOZO really hits hardest is in its refusal to let its audience off the hook. It doesn’t neatly package its themes, nor does it offer easy resolutions. Instead, it lingers in the messy, in-between spaces – where reality blurs, where laughter catches in your throat, where discomfort sits just beneath the surface. It’s a bold, relentless watch that thrives in its own jagged edges.
Final Thoughts ★★★★
Would I recommend ASBO BOZO? Oh yes. However, be warned – this isn’t easy theatre. It’s jagged, relentless, and refuses to sit quietly in the corner. If you like your theatre neatly packaged with a tidy resolution, you may find yourself squirming. But if you’re drawn to raw, unfiltered storytelling that gets under your skin and stays there, then this is absolutely worth your time. Duncan’s performance alone is worth the price of admission – unsettling, electric, and impossible to ignore.
Playing at Riverside Studios until 29 March 2025.
Disclaimer: A complimentary ticket was provided in return for an honest and unbiased review.
