There was a particular line and theory in this one-woman show at Gullivers pub that spoke to me.

I knew I did this, I knew it was a terrible habit but one that I didn’t have the bravery to break because what of the consequences? Was it worth the repercussions if I had the audacity to not tie myself up in knots worrying over [insert any given situation here] until my brain was ready to implode upon itself?

For surely if you put the time, energy and every fibre of your being into dreading/panicking/worrying about something, surely you will then, and only then, will this buy you your golden ticket to it not being as awful/devastating/terrible as you fear it will be.

And this applies to anything from a job interview to an incredibly minor social interaction that you know is looming on the horizon.

“Picking” is a love letter to the overthinkers, worriers, and the anxiously attached.

Through the eyes of Catherine, audiences will journey through her experiences with mental health, obsession, friendships, and the often awkward world of sex and dating.

It spotlights the challenges of being a twenty-something adult when self confidence and emotional stability feels like an impossible puzzle.

This one-woman show at the brilliant drinking establishment and equally brilliant gig/theatre space that is Gullivers, and part of GM Fringe festival, was a bold, biting and unapologetic journey into one twenty-something’s fictional account of a chaotic but not unique attempt to navigate life through a lens of acute anxiety.

Over about 60 minutes, there was little stone unturned as writer and performer, Amelia Slater, delivered an account of where life had taken ‘her’ (Catherine), picking up in the here and now as she seeks to escape her flat (and possible herself) when flatmate Liv leaves to stay at her boyfriend’s for the weekend.

On our collective journey (we’re definitely along for the ride, such is the performer’s charisma and ability to create an almost instant connection with the audience), we encounter vagina charts and indeed vagina selfies. Yes. And at this point, I’d like to review my plus-1 in both theatre and marriage’s reaction to this segment – reader he was on brand as barely an eyelid batted or flinch performed. 5 stars.

We had the classic feline nemesis in Malcolm who, we’re told, bears a striking resemblance to actor, Brendan Gleeson. Having had a cat called Bernard who bore a striking resemblance to theatre and variety impresario, Bernard Delfont, I’m here for this kind of trivia.

We had the tale of a clarinet-playing, solo karaoke-going suitor, we had frequent-flyer Callum who I personally couldn’t decided if he was good or bad for our heroine (reflective of her own thoughts on the matter) and an unlocked poignant memory of how, as a child, she would pick at the cotton in her socks until they slowly started to unravel. The symbolism is strong and I bet you didn’t think socks and poignancy were natural bed fellows, did you?

Whilst I have now a few years on the age-period in question, there was much to relate to, much that was triggered, and much that provided comfort in that I’d survived that heady, exciting, explorative decade of my years (not that the rest don’t bring their own brand of insanity and challenge – you’re just doing it with a little less energy).

Most of all it was funny and I don’t think I was alone in wanting to find out where life would take her next.

Long live GM Fringe and all who sail in her. Here’s to 2025.

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Blue Balloon Theatre is a female and non-binary led, Manchester based, non-profit theatre company, co-founded by Rebecca Phythian and Jas Nisic.

Picking was directed by Selina Helliwell

Pic credits – Shay Rowan, Jaimie Grainger and me!