Losing my Mindfulness - Katie McLeod

Losing my Mindfulness - Katie McLeod

I wasn’t expecting to have raisins thrown at me when I walked into The Subscription Rooms.
But then again, Katie McLeod, in character as a struggling and hysterical HR manager named Serena,
isn’t your average performer.

This was my second mindfulness-themed show of the day (thanks, Stroud), and I expected a cliched,
overdone, yoga-teacher-berating piece. McLeod’s show was none of those. Through the medium
of a corporate workshop, she navigates the topics of emotional abuse, toxic masculinity,
and financial issues with maturity and humour, all while interacting with the audience
genuinely and responsively. The whole show is high-energy and fast-paced, producing an
actual, genuine stress-induced adrenaline rush. It’s all quite invigorating.

On occasion, it is unclear whether it is Katie or Serena talking, which leads to some fairly
unsettling moments of not knowing whether to follow instructions, laugh, or shut up. This constant
questioning of whether what’s happening is stand-up or a sketch, though, makes for an audience
which is even more engaged.

All the way from the chewing-gum-centred starting sequence to the melodramatic end,
this show offers advice, instruction, and, most of all, a chance to recognise elements of yourself in
the trainwreck of a situation which unfolds.

See it if you get the chance - you won’t walk out mindful, but you won’t regret it either.

See the show on Saturday 15th Sept, 5.00pm, or Sunday 16th Sept, 7.00pm, The George Room

Written by Grace Spencer