Spencer Waldner can’t stop telling the truth and he’s convinced it’s one of the lingering side effects of COVID, whether people want to hear it or not. Desperate to be “fixed”, Waldner turns to professional help in the form of the self-proclaimed ‘second coming of Sigmund Freud’. But as the therapy sessions grow increasingly intense, the line between his subconscious and reality begins to blur, with unexpected and often hilarious consequences.
The piece begins in one of the Edinburgh Fringe’s smallest settings, with just 18 seats, immediately creating an intimate atmosphere. We are invited into Waldner’s story and, importantly, asked to become the jury as his case is presented to us. That relationship with the audience is crucial — we are strangers, yet we are being asked to judge and understand him to bear witness.
As the story unfolds, we learn about Waldner’s upbringing by Christian missionary parents in Arkansas and the experiences that have shaped him. Seeking professional help for his uncontrollable honesty, we watch as he moves through a series of therapy sessions, each becoming more thorough, intense and revealing than the last.
At first, Waldner’s confidence seems to waver as he and his therapists begin to unpack his life and examine the recurring dreams that have been troubling him. As the year progresses, however, you can gradually see a change in him, suggesting that the therapy is beginning to have an effect.
The backstory is important in understanding Waldner, but the pacing feels slightly uneven, with this section lingering for a little too long before we reach the therapy sessions of the more revealing dream analysis. It is here that the play really begins to draw you in, particularly as Waldner opens up about being gay and his attraction to much older men.
Some of these revelations are deliberately uncomfortable. Hearing Waldner recall that, at just seven years old during a sleepover, he was more interested in watching his friend’s father walking around the kitchen in his underwear is unsettling. Yet it also gives the audience a glimpse into the complicated memories and experiences he is trying to make sense of through therapy.
This solo show is unique and heartfelt, exploring self-discovery and learning not to be ashamed of who you are. It is well written, with some thoughtful and philosophical moments that make you think about your own dreams, memories and choices.
Waldner holds the audience’s attention throughout, telling his story with confidence and warmth. He moves between his character and directly addressing the audience, breaking the fourth wall several times. Although this works well in places, it perhaps happens a little too often.
Overall, Daddy Issues is an unusual and thought-provoking show that won’t be for everyone. There are moments that are funny and yet uncomfortable and Waldner’s openness makes his story easy to connect with. While the pacing could be tighter, you’ll certainly leave with something to think about.
★★★
Gifted ticket in exchange for an honest review.