Review: Shut Up, I’m Dreaming by National Theatre

Reviewed by Lilli Whittell, Year 10 student at Trinity Academy Cathedral, Wakefield.

Recently I was lucky enough to see a production of The PappyShow’s Shut Up, I’m Dreaming as part of the National Theatre’s school tour. It was a surreal experience that walks a fine line between reality and dreamland. The production aims to speak to the new generation using their own words, acting as a mirror that provides an insight on the ‘dreams and ambition’ of teens ‘in an uncertain world’.

Going into the show, I expected a simple journey reflecting the ups and downs of teenage life, but what I was instead met with was a deep exploration of the thoughts and feelings most familiar to me as they battled with social norms and the status quo. Shut Up, I’m Dreaming is more than a performance: it is a deep dive into the harsh realities of gender conformity, bullying, work and grief. It pulls the audience between vastly contrasting moods and makes you feel as though you are in the centre of the stage. From the moment you walk into the room, the cast are down by the seats making small talk and handing out high-fives, with a level of individual understanding of their audience that many productions could only hope to achieve.

A sense of familiarity is easily created between performer and audience before the show even begins, but what further cements this is the stripped-down nature of everything you see. Everything from production crew to props is visible to the audience throughout, which means that you can lose yourself in the dreamlike visuals and hard-hitting messages, but without the content feeling too hard-hitting. The constant switch between natural, low-intensity acting and bright, high-stakes action emphasises the blurred lines between sitting in the school hall to watch a play and living through a shared experience in a suddenly unfamiliar environment, and that was a sheer joy. You’ll struggle to grasp what’s part of the script and what’s being generated on the spot, but you’re guaranteed to get a sufficient taste of fact and fiction in every moment.

There is meaning in every moment of Shut Up, I’m Dreaming, whether it’s comedic or tragic. Its messages of expression, confidence and struggle left me with a wholly new perspective. The PappyShow has established a connection with young audience members through this convincing and inspiring look into teenage life.