The premise of Buen Camino is undeniably intriguing. Susan’s life is, at first glance, perfect — perfect love, perfect happiness, perfect stability. But when a sudden and devastating loss rips that foundation away, she’s left adrift, unable to see any future worth living.
A story told through 27 characters, enhanced by multimedia elements, charting a 540-mile trek through rain, resentment, and ultimately, redemption. On paper, it’s a premise ripe for emotional depth and scenic richness.
Unfortunately, the reality of the performance fell short of that promise. The introduction to Susan’s journey lingered far too long on setup before the pilgrimage itself began, and when it did, I found the actual experience of the Camino underexplored. There were a few background images to add context, but they were sparse and left me wishing for more visual immersion — the kind that could transport the audience to cobbled paths, mountain passes, and sleepy Spanish villages.
The storytelling itself presented challenges. The 27 different characters, while an ambitious choice, often blended together in tone and delivery, making it difficult to distinguish them. Adding to the confusion, Susan referred to herself in the third person, creating an extra layer of detachment. This choice might have been intentional, but for me, it made it harder to emotionally connect to her personal journey.
The pacing was another stumbling block. At times, the delivery felt like a rapid-fire monologue at 50mph, with little space for the audience to pause and reflect. As a result, key emotional beats — moments that could have resonated more deeply — passed by too quickly.
That’s not to say there were no positives. There were glimpses of emotional truth in certain passages, and the concept itself is compelling. But for me, these moments were too few and far between to outweigh the confusion and lack of connection I felt overall.
Buen Camino has the potential to be a moving, immersive account of grief, surrender, and the healing power of pilgrimage. But in its current form, it needs more direction, more space for reflection, and a greater sense of place to fully carry the audience along for the journey. As it stands, it’s not a show I personally connected with, and I would award it 2 stars.
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/buen-camino
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