Review: Me and My Year of Casual ‘Monasticism’

As we enter the dark Pembroke New Cellars, we’re welcomed by Mary (Emily Knutsson) resting languidly on a chair in what I assume is meant to be her college dorm room. From the start, the performance feels very intimate, from the audience’s proximity to the ‘stage’ area to Mary’s direct monologue style, in which she talks to the audience members student-to-student, rather than actor-to-spectator. The venue certainly helps enhance a feeling of closeness to the performance: Pembroke New Cellars does ‘intimate’ theatre in a particularly effective way, with its small – almost claustrophobic – space, and low ceilings.

Image credits: Chris Lorde

From the moment Mary begins her monologue, we as audience members feel as though we’re having a conversation with a friend. In a sense, we are. Mary draws on the universal experiences Cambridge students go through and cleverly categorises the types of students you find here by connecting them with tropes and mythical and religious figures.

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As the name suggests, the overall ‘story’ of the piece draws on religious themes in Mary’s account of her experiences as a new master’s student at Cambridge. Her relationship problems force her to turn to the idea of ‘monasticism’, in which she tries to become a celibate monk to avoid any more calamitous encounters with men. She confesses to the audience: “So enraged at the treatment I had received, I had effectively martyred myself.” Mary relates the lessons she learns throughout all of this to the sixth-century Rule of Saint Benedict, relating modern student life to the life of a medieval monk, which is an interesting concept. Emily draws on her experience studying medieval history to write a unique monologue that’s a medievalist’s dream, referencing the likes of Gerald of Wales and Oderic in a way that I’ve never seen done before; to quote Mary, “Would Gerald of Wales have sacrificed Vita Merlini for some meaningless piece of ass?”

Image credits: Chris Lorde

Performing a one-hour-long monologue is always commendable, and Emily keeps the audience engaged for the duration of the piece, which involves asking the audience to respond to the questions that her character poses. The combination of humour with the relatability of the experiences she narrates is entertaining, punctuated occasionally with moments of emotional vulnerability, like her account of giving in to go and see her ex after promising herself she wouldn’t.

Perhaps the addition of more lighting and sound design would help give a bit more variety to the delivery of the piece, breaking up the more humorous from the more serious moments. The viewing experience will also benefit from a large audience: the performance is meant to feel like a chat between friends, so a receptive and enthusiastic audience will help increase the overall energy of the show. The emphasis on medieval history is wonderful for a medievalist to experience, but might be a bit lost on someone less in the know. Don’t let this stop you coming if the Middle Ages isn’t your preferred period of history though – it might even heighten your appreciation for the period.

Postgraduates will find Me and My Year of Casual Monasticism particularly relatable, although it will no doubt speak to most Cambridge students – we’ve all had our fair share of messy club nights. Be prepared to delve deep into what makes you a Madonna and a whore in this unique and heart-warming piece of theatre.

4/5

Me and My Year of Casual ‘Monasticism’ is showing 21:30, Wed 27th – Sat 30th November 2024 at Pembroke New Cellars. Book your tickets here.