What's it really like being teenager today?  What drives teenagers to profound sadness?  Although stories of teenage suicide regularly hit the headlines, the reasons behind such tragic acts are all too often swept under the carpet. But also: how come most of them don't resort to this?  What's it like to be a happy teenager today?  

Using a blend of spoken word and film, true confessions and lies, 18 young people from Cork, Ireland and two Londoners in the UK premiere of F*ck My Life recount their own experiences, both funny and moving.  Directed by Pol Heyvaert of Belgian art centre CAMPO (formerly known as Victoria) FML looks beyond the scaremongering to give a voice to young people from the country with one of the highest suicide rates in Europe.

 

The reviews are now in!  Following its premiere in Cork, here's what the Irish press had to say:

Irish Independent 28 June 2010

"authentic"

"surprisingly sweet"

"The performance is raw and funny and strong"

"an enthusiastic audience reaction that included a standing ovation"

 

Irish Times 29 June 2010

"[F*ck My Life] moved from joy to despair deftly with actors that possessed the stage with more presence than you would expect from such young, inexperienced performers."

"Profound in its juxtaposition of the highs and lows of youth."

 

Irish Examiner 29 June 2010

"There is a raw, emotional honesty in the performances."

"This show is far from depressing. There is much humour."

"The mood is modulated between light and sombre with moments of real poignancy."

 

Parental Advisory: suitable for 16 years plus only. Contains strong and sexually explicit language.