Daddy Issues is a devilishly dark comedy following 23-year-old Imi as she ruminates alone on Halloween. Join her as she throws an online wake for her beloved dog Roger, deliver sermons on Sir Cliff Richard and share her hatred for all things ‘Live, Laugh, Love’. Haunted by memories of those who have left her behind, Imi has to fight to remember all the reasons why she must choose to live.
The piece received its debut this Autumn at Seven Dials Playhouse in collaboration with Gartland Productions, staring Bebe Cave.
Director: Jane Moriarty
Sound Design: Christopher Reid
Set & Lighting Design: Andrew Exeter
Costume Design: Sophia Pardon
Video Design: Lewis Den Hertog
Assistant Director: Gabrielle Scawthorn
★★★★★
Everything Theatre: ‘Cornay’s script skilfully weaves comedy and tragedy to portray a difficult and transformative night of Imi’s life, highlighting how humour is often used as a coping mechanism for grief and trauma.’
★★★★★
Theatre Weekly: ‘ It takes enormous skill as a writer to pull this off as well as Cornay does, because it never once feels like the play is making light of the subject or diminishing the feelings of those affected. Imi’s anger at her father is teased out slowly, in subtle and nuanced ways and it’s a joy to see a character so perfectly developed.’
★★★★
Broadway World: ‘ Lewis Cornay offers a forensic dissection of the ramifications of mourning and suicide through the eyes of a young person.’
Whatsonstage: ‘Her deadpan jokes…catch you off guard, make you laugh, but also question if everything really is okay. It's a new generation of being honest online’.
The show is currently nominated for two OFFIE AWARDS, for best leading performance and best sound design.