Review: Toothpaste Kisses at South Hill Park

Life can be tough in a number of ways and growing up, becoming a parent and raising a child is no walk in the park as this beautifully scripted and powerfully performed play, written and starring, Keir Buist, proves.

Primarily a monologue from the viewpoint of Liam, a boy who becomes a young man and a father, this is an emotional rollercoaster of a performance that grips your heart from the start and puts it through the wringer, breaking it and lifting it in a myriad of memorable moments both sad and joyful

Moments that through the exceptional acting talents of Buist makes you really feel for the character and are with him emotionally as he faces challenges that befall someone who is just trying to get on with life.

Director Leo Burke ensures that the focus is always on Liam throughout, apart from the brief appearance of Liam’s daughter, played with confidence by Sophie Abbott towards the end.

The pacing is spot on and the intimate surroundings of the Studio Theater are well utilized with creative and original use of props along with some clever characterization work.

This is not quite a one-man show, but Keir Buist deserves to be applauded for both the words and the acting. This is a play that needs to be seen by more people at festivals, fringes, showcases and is a must for Edinburgh.

You will laugh, you will cry, you will be moved, but you will not be disappointed with ‘Toothpaste Kisses’.