I was one of a select crowd at the opening night of Close Enough at the Exeter Phoenix last week. A one-woman show written and performed by Cristina Varga, Close Enough is a humorous yet deeply personal exploration of the immigrant experience. Varga, a 32-year-old Romanian woman who moved to England five years ago, combines comedy, song, and video elements to present an introspective and candid look at her journey.
The show opens with the usual theatre disclaimers—phones off, no interruptions. But Varga adds one more rule: “Improv is off limits.” She explains that as a non-native English speaker, she can only stick to the scripted conversations she has rehearsed in the shower. This instantly introduces one of the show’s recurring themes: the struggle of navigating a new language and culture in real time.
For an international audience or anyone who has ever attempted to master a second language, her anecdotes are instantly relatable. Yes, you’ve mastered the language and put in the hours and taken the classes and passed the tests—but people in real life don’t follow the script you’ve rehearsed in your head. Her honesty about the constant fear of saying the wrong thing, the shame of having to ask someone to repeat themselves, and the anxiety of running out of vocabulary resonates with anyone who has ever felt like a linguistic outsider.
Yes, you’ve mastered the language and put in the hours and taken the classes and passed the tests—but people in real life don’t follow the script you’ve rehearsed in your head.
Varga moved to the UK just before Brexit and the Covid lockdowns—a turbulent period for anyone, especially an alienated immigrant over 1000 miles from home. She humorously recounts the financial challenges, highlighting her father having to put his savings plan for a “new second-hand 2004 Volkswagen Golf 5 Plus” on hold. Her friends and family were supportive of her move, but the emotional weight of emigration comes through in her performance too. It is hard, especially for people like her grandparents, to see everyone leave. Varga’s show isn’t just a comedy, it’s a poignant story of a woman with bigger hopes for her future. Beyond stand-up comedy, Close Enough employs mixed media to enhance its storytelling. Prepare yourself for sudden dance breaks, songs, videos and photos which all add a unique performative layer to the production.
Close Enough employs mixed media to enhance its storytelling. Prepare yourself for sudden dance breaks, songs, videos and photos which all add a unique performative layer to the production.
Close Enough is a completely original piece, with Varga bravely drawing from her own experiences to craft an authentic and engaging show. While jokes were sometimes over-explained or extended beyond their punchline, the balance of comedy and emotional depth made the performance refreshing. The incorporation of video, music, and dance gave the production a unique edge, setting it apart from traditional stand-up or theatre.
Everything But Theatre, the emerging company behind the show, is pushing creative boundaries, and Close Enough is a testament to their innovative approach. It’s a show that speaks to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider while reminding us that sometimes, laughter is the best way to make sense of it all.s a show that speaks to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider while reminding us that sometimes, laughter is the best way to make sense of it all.
