From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads

Alex Walton’s narration grounds this solo show, injecting pace at just the right moment. Whenever Walton transforms into protagonist Martin, the energy purposefully shifts. He becomes awkward and introverted – Martin is not your average 18-year-old. But all of his troubles—the chaos of home life; an eating disorder; his absent father—take a backseat to Martin’s love affair with David Bowie (voiced by Rob Newman).

From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads is a constant punch to the gut. Martin is the underdog and Walton physically shrivels whenever he switches into the character. Adrian Berry’s writing is rhythmic and Walton never misses a beat, manipulating Andie Scott’s deceptively simple set to add volume to the story. A karaoke stage where Martin joyfully screams out ‘Starman’ is also the phone box where he vomits up his guts and breaks down. One minute he is walking on air, bathed in the glow of his idol; the next, cut short, anxious and alone.

Bowie becomes Martin’s surrogate father figure, unsuccessfully plugging the gaping hole in his life. Every mention of Dad comes with a pause in the monologue, a clever nuance to emphasise his obvious absence.

From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads is bitter, believable and ultimately imperfect. Walton ends on the floor, spent from the effort of containing all the conflicting personalities. The final farewell from Dad is introspective and tender, a dream from which even the audience don’t want to wake up.