Bryony Kimmings returns to solo performance after nearly five years with her new show "Bog Witch," which premiered at Soho Theatre Walthamstow in October 2025. This bracing solo theatre piece marks a significant contribution to the emerging genre of eco-theatre, joining recent innovative works like the Royal Court’s "Cow | Deer" and the musical comedy "Hot Mess" at Southwark Playhouse. Kimmings’ show draws audiences into a deeply personal yet universally urgent exploration of ecological collapse and mental health, framed by her move from urban life to a regenerative permaculture homestead with her family.

"Bog Witch" is structured as a confessional narrative that blends stand-up comedy, original songs, folk horror elements, and intimate storytelling. Kimmings recounts a transformative year marked by profound upheaval after relocating to the countryside, where the conveniences of city life such as Deliveroo and Selfridges become distant memories. Her story captures the anxiety and bewilderment that accompany this transition, including moments of frustration with the paradoxes of modern sustainability—like attending a local harvest festival that only accepts pre-packaged food or discovering that a simple supermarket sandwich has travelled further than she has.

The production is remarkable for its sophisticated theatricality. Kimmings incorporates English folk traditions, from music and dance to craft and horror storytelling, creating a tapestry of ancient and contemporary concerns. The staging embraces these themes with evocative elements such as woodcut-style projections, atmospheric lighting, and contributions from animators that enhance the show's folkloric and mystical tones. Kimmings’ physical performance, choreographed by Sarah Blanc, is confident and expressive, while the sound design and original compositions by Lewis Gibson and Tom Parkinson deepen the show’s immersive atmosphere.

The show balances moments of humour with stark reflections on climate catastrophe and personal responsibility. One poignant scene features Kimmings fielding questions from her son about her carbon footprint, mixing comedy with an unsettling awareness of the generational impacts of environmental neglect. Throughout, Kimmings’ self-deprecating and candid tone lends emotional authenticity, making her ecological reckoning feel both cosmic and intimately human.

The play’s thematic layering includes playful yet dark threads of witchcraft and folklore, which serve as metaphors for the shadow aspects of environmental activism and human psychological complexity. For example, local community figures are playfully depicted as an intimidating coven, while the narrative references Naomi Klein’s theories on the shadow self, enriching the show’s conceptual depth.

"Bog Witch" stands not only as an urgent climate statement but also as a theatrical time capsule capturing how individuals grapple with the complexities of living through ecological crises today. It is a celebration of reconnection with nature, personal transformation, and the search for joy amidst chaos. This show represents a forward-thinking and adventurous approach to eco-theatre, positioning Kimmings as a vital voice in contemporary performance art.

Kimmings’ return is heralded as a thrilling event in the theatre world, filling the restored Soho Theatre stage with a vision that resonates on multiple levels—environmental, emotional, and cultural. "Bog Witch" is a compelling invitation to audiences to reflect on their own relationship with the natural world and the urgent need for collective action in the face of climate change.

📌 Reference Map:

Source: Noah Wire Services