I Heart Catherine Pistachio at the Soho

Debuting in London on 31^st March, I Heart Catherine Pistachio is a short, funny and sweet show by Lee Mathinson, taking the audience on a journey through the life of a handful of characters, each giving their accounts as to why they love – or loathe – Catherine Pistachio. Directed by the truly talented Jen Malarkey, the production takes the form of an eccentric two-man show, dictating the hilarious, and sometimes tragic, life of Catherine (later on renamed Spaghetti).

At first, the audience is introduced to a shy and timid Catherine, awkwardly waiting for her moment to shine. After what seems like a seizure, mixed with a confused take on interpretive dance, the real fun begins. In between dance breaks to 90s classics, the show prepares the audience for a nostalgic trip to a land of double denim and Saved by the Bell references. Throughout the show, Catherine’s seemingly easy-going father Lionel, and her keep-up-appearances-to-the-point-of-insanity mother Linda – who does nothing but spew bile at about her daughter –  are introduced. Other characters, such as an angry and recently disabled Scottish grandfather, Linda’s sister Fiona, an appearance by Mario Lopez, and a loveable dog named Bruno all help illustrate the protagonist’s crazy world.

Catherine is such a hilarious and loveable character, it’s very easy to fall in love with her awkward and gawky nature. However, despite all the moments of side-splitting laughter – and there are many – the audience quickly learns that not everything is as it seems, and things to take a dark turn. 

This is such a hilarious, clever performance, and will prove popular amongst audiences, especially if one can recognise and name all the 90s tunes. There are truly heart wrenching moments, and some that anyone who was an awkward teenager can relate to. So, take a journey through the life of Catherine Pistachio, it truly is a venture not to be overlooked.

Amaliah Sara Marmon-Halm

I Heart Catherine Pistachio is on at Soho Theatre from 31^st March until 4^th April 2015, for further information or to book visit here.