I COULD'VE BEEN BETTER
in association with Bristol Old Vic Ferment
Written by Anna Harpin and Jimmy Whiteaker
Directed by Anna Harpin
Performed by Jimmy Whiteaker
Photos by Matt Collins (Crush Images)
Entering an over 10's swimming gala at the age of 30, to defeat 11 year old nemesis Veronica Barr, a signalman swims for his life. A tender tale of love, loneliness and verruca socks.
Short-listed for a Total Theatre Award in the category of Shows by an Emerging Company/Artist.
"This is innovative, intelligent and quirky theatre… hilarious and poignant in turns and captivating throughout…a gem of a show, Idiot Child is a company to watch"
★★★★ WHATSONSTAGE
PRESS FOR 'I COULD'VE BEEN BETTER'
"Jimmy Whiteaker (is) fantastic. Loved its playfulness and all-sorts swimming pool"
THE GUARDIAN
"beautifully written & performed dark comedy"
THE TIMES
‘Whiteaker achieves both the playful and the peculiar. As James he is both endearing and vulnerable’
★★★★ A YOUNGER THEATRE
"Anna Harpin's direction of the tragic lives of misfits continues to be intelligent and real...the denouement of I could've been better is beautifully heartbreaking, and Idiot Child is becoming a company not to be missed'
TOTAL THEATRE
‘There is a wonderful unpredictability about (Jimmy Whiteaker's) performance, and a genuine warmth and engagement. It makes conventional theatre seem to run on tramlines.’
9/10 BRISTOL POST
'This is heart-piercing stuff. Don't miss it'
★★★★ REMOTE GOAT
'But although I could've been better hints at a deeper sadness, it is primarily very, very funny, and Whiteaker's performance is superb'
★★★★ EXEUENT MAGAZINE
"With sharp, consistent humour and subtly woven touches of heartbreak the script is very strong indeed. The ending...is truly heartbreaking"
★★★★ INFORMED EDINBURGH
"Powerful, bittersweet, wistful...shocking undertow"
★★★★ THREEWEEKS
"This is innovative, intelligent and quirky theatre… hilarious and poignant in turns and captivating throughout…a gem of a show, Idiot Child is a company to watch"
★★★★ WHATSONSTAGE