There is nothing “recycled” about this unique and relatable story
Meet Ella – a twenty-something bartender who is dealing with issues in her family life, career and personal relationships. Overwhelmed with the weight of her problems, Ella dives head first into the one thing she believes she can control – recycling.
Tucked away in one of the intimate bunker venues at Pleasants Courtyard, is this hidden gem of a one-woman show. It is led expertly by performer and writer Verity Mullan, portraying the character Ella, who is instantly charming and relatable from the get-go. Mullan’s facial expressions alone are not to be missed, and she reminds me of Sex Educations’s Aimee-Lou Wood, or Saoirse-Monica Jackson in Derry Girls. We watch her interact with invisible characters like her manager, step-sister and situationship, and the one-sided conversations are incredibly convincing.
The use of sound is effective in the piece, helping create the world around our protagonist. We hear the voicemails Ella is ignoring, and a phone call from her mother at the end makes for a really moving moment. The props are also a nice edition – plastic packaging littering the stage at various points during the show, thus further highlighting the issue this play is trying to address.
“Single Use” is as informative as it is funny, and it made me reflect on my own relationship with the climate crisis. Am I doing enough? Are my efforts making a difference? Does it even matter? I recommend “Single Use” to anyone who has ever questioned what bin to put their empty hummus pot into. Anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by instagram infographics about pollution. Or anyone who is looking for something quirky and enjoyable to watch at this year’sFringe.
You can catch “Single Use” at Pleasants Courtyard Bunker 3, until the 24th August (not the 11th.)
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/single-use