The Routine is a charming, one-woman surreal physical‑theatre performance which follows the journey of a lonely office worker who literally escapes the monotony of daily life by squeezing through a portal in their bathroom mirror to meet an ensemble of quirky characters. For those of us who love a good squeeze, it is deeply satisfying that the portal appears to open when attacking a ginormous pimple. 

Performed by the delightful Joylyn Secunda, the show blends mime, clowning and whimsical world‑building which makes it an accessible jaunt for family, friends and colleagues of any age or Fringe-literacy. Fans of the observational, melancholy and absurdism of Mr. Bean will find their itch scratched. 

Without any words, our protagonist guides the audience through an adventure into a jungle of animal characters, illusions, and interactions. The narrative is filled with heart - its got love, jeopardy, child-rearing and despair. A particular highlight is the sequence of the baby bird - absolutely enthralling! 

The tone is warm and earnest, and although the show uses comedy, there’s a quiet emotional core beneath the surface. It taps into ideas about the routines we all follow, small frustrations that appear to consume us, the patterns we fall into without noticing, and the desire to break free from lives that sometimes feel too repetitive. 

Secunda is undeniably committed to her craft and throws her body into each dance move, dive and drive with ease and confidence. Every audience member can see she has honed her skills to deliver a truly unique Fringe Work offering. 

Overall, The Routine is delightful, imaginative, and touching. It reminds us that the ordinary can be made joyous - we just have to squeeze a huge pimple and then find the joy ourselves.