To Do Lists | Pleasance Courtyard (The Green) (Ed Fringe)

To Do Lists is a semi-autobiographical one woman show written and performed by Amy Lever, that reflects upon her own experiences and invites audiences to reflect on their own lives. Lever is a mighty writer, managing to create a rhythm in her writing that flows naturally, stirring up emotions in the audience that they may not have expected before strategically switching fears, throwing her audience into the deep end. Whilst this might sound intense, and admittedly it can be, it's also a wonderful way to reflect on one's grief.

Lever writes from the heart as she shares her experiences from a very young age, as an compulsive list maker, creating to-do lists daily to help her find her way through life. As these lists are examined, it becomes clear that it is the defining framework in a world that is otherwise chaotic, providing a firm foundation to escape becoming a crumbling mess. As Lever changes from childhood to adulthood, the contents and intensity of these lists change accordingly, and audiences are given the time to reflect on their own lives.

The show avoids the easy trap of feeling too heavy or preachy, and utilises comedy and self/deprecating humour throughout. The show takes a sharp turn as the lists slowly take over her life, leading her to question her sense of self. The ever growing to-do list grows, begging the question "how much is enough", falling into the pattern of endless productivity, burnout and guilt that so many people feel today in a world that moves too fast for its residents. As this sense of self begins to fall, the acknowledgement that she's missing major moments in the lives of her loved ones comes into play, lending itself to a heartbreaking final portion about grief.

Lever's performance really sells the piece, as she excitedly shares her primary revision to-do list that expands into hundreds of sub-to-do lists, and her daily routine to her frantic scribbling to add on another task in her adult life that can't be ignored for long is wonderfully portrayed. As this anxiety grows, Lever's performance reflects it well, really helping audiences to turn inwards and reflect on their own lives, whilst simultaneously sympathising for Lever's plight. However, it's the final few moments of the show when Lever is in real tears as she goes through the final contents of a memory box that has the audience unexpectedly sniffling along.

To Do Lists is playing at 17:15pm at the Pleasance Courtyard (The Green) until 31st August - tickets and more information can be found here. 

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review