BRYONY KIMMINGS CASTS A COMPELLING, EARTHY SPELL IN BOG WITCH

By Emma Carney | Bunny Pudding · Digital Coven · @bunnyscopes ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Bryony Kimmings makes a long-awaited and triumphant return to the solo stage with Bog Witch, a show that is as messy, complex, and ultimately rewarding as the natural world it venerates. Playing at the magnificent new Soho Theatre Walthamstow, Kimmings confirms her status as a master storyteller, weaving a tale of ecological awakening and personal grief with a steady hand and fantastic comedic timing.

For the uninitiated, Kimmings is an engaging performer who commands attention from the outset. She begins her story with a relatable urban malaise—a spiritual void that online shopping and Deliveroo can no longer fill. The initial premise, however, takes a wonderfully chaotic turn. Just as you settle into the narrative of ditching capitalism for the countryside, she reveals the complicating factor: a man. The whiplash of her confession—that she’s not only moving for a partner but has also tried and failed at rural life before—is the first of many delightful, jarring moments that make the journey feel authentically human, not a pre-packaged parable.

The production values are exceptional, creating a world that feels both vast and intimate. The lighting design beautifully chases the seasons, mirroring Kimmings’ own internal shifts. While the staging is minimalist, it is powerfully used; projections and sound design (a particular highlight being a storm that feels like it’s swirling right around the auditorium) build a dreamlike, almost primeval landscape. And while this witch was hoping for more literal coven representation, the show offers a fascinating substitute: an ‘animal coven’ brought to life with fabulous, expressive masks that tap into a deep, folk-horror energy.

Bog Witch is a deeply female-focused exploration of grief, love, and womanhood. At times, its very heteronormative framework created a slight distance for me, a reminder that this is fiercely one person’s specific story. Yet, its core message about disconnection transcends demographics. Did the environmental theme land? Surprisingly and effectively, yes. Kimmings avoids preachiness, instead charting her own clumsy, often reluctant conversion. The image of a supermarket sandwich racking up more air miles than a person is the kind of poignant, simple observation that lingers, forcing a quiet pondering long after the curtain falls. 

The show is not without its minor imperfections; certain sections feel slightly uneven and could benefit from a tighter edit. But this is a minor quibble in an otherwise absorbing and inventive production. Bog Witch is a compelling mix of stand-up, song, and surreal storytelling. It’s a heartfelt, hilarious, and haunting chronicle of trying to plug back into the ecosystem, both outside our doors and within ourselves.

Bog Witch is running at Soho Theatre Walthamstow until Saturday 25 October.

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⭐⭐⭐⭐ – A haunting, hilarious, and highly recommended 4 stars

Photo Credit: Rosie Powell