“A representation of life as a young person in London“
The Flip Side is a collection of stories about the lives of young adults in London. This is the stage of life where we learn to ‘adult’ for the first time – hoping for success at school and work, earning our own money and attempting to save up for the fun things, spending time with our friends, and falling in love. It is also the time when our difficult circumstances hit us the hardest; adulthood comes with a whirlwind of expectations to fulfil, but things such as mental health, chronic pain, and creating a family of one’s own can prevent us from being our best selves for everyone. This play beautifully explores the different aspects of young adulthood.
This play is a two-parter. It is an irreverent, slice-of-life comedy in the first part, and a poignant melodrama in the second part. In the first half, we follow a friend group of five people and their endearing 20-something tendencies. Writer Shireen Mula is sensitive in her nostalgic approach to young life – workshopping with the actors, she asked them questions such as “What don’t we talk about enough?” and “When you were a child, what did you think life would be like for you in your twenties?”. Mula is someone who cares about the opinions of the people she represents, which made The Flip Side so relatable and full of heart.
The second part, the drama, was equally amazing. Again, there were five characters on stage, each describing a day (5am-5am) in their lives. People in their 20s are considered exuberant, chasing the best careers and nightclubbing in between. However, The Flip Side gives a voice to those with mental/physical health, relationship, financial, and identity struggles. This play shows the tedium and difficulty of surviving a single day.
Kudos to all involved!