Shereen Roushbaiani celebrates the power and pitfalls of adolescent parasocial relationships
Do we place our idols on precariously high pedestals or use them as an affirmative mirror through which to understand ourselves? Shereen Roushbaiani’s one woman show Saving Britney interrogates this question through examining the obsession with Britney Spears that defined her adolescence. Her stage space is littered with early 2000s memorabilia (think groovy chick and pink CD players), transporting us back to when Britney was a young star hurtling into the limelight. As Roushbaiani hurtles excitedly through the evolutions of Britney’s public image, we witness this obsession shaping and threatening Roushbaiani’s own identity.
Roushbaiani holds the stage with an inviting earnestness, drawing us first into her heady intoxication with the alluring world of celebrity, then gently peeling back layers of escapism to reveal the relatable difficulties of reality. Saving Britney finds humour in crisp self mockery meanwhile allowing sobering observations on repression, denial and idealistic projection to offer a thoughtful underscore.
Saving Britney is most compelling when refusing to reconcile problematic teenage obsession with finding solace in an idol. Roushbaiani captures this beautifully when paralleling her developing understanding of her queer sexuality with her growing adoration for Britney. This formed an interesting commentary on how false parasocial relationships can lead to a stronger foundation for exploring real ones, and represented a common adolescent experience with a lovely openheartedness.
I enjoyed how Saving Britney embraces contradiction, however the point that ‘two things can be true at once’ was somewhat laboured, as was the concluding monologue, attempting to optimistically resolve a show that was stronger when it left us in conflict. Nevertheless, Roushbaiani’s skillful delivery, fantastically interspersed with Britney’s greatest hits is a hugely enjoyable watch, offering a provocative chance to reflect on the way we shape our identities through media.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/saving-britney
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Venue 300, The Bluebell @ Underbelly George Square
Dates: Aug 5th -30th (exl. 17th, 24th)
Time: 18:15 (60 mins)
Ticket prices: £15.50 / concessions £14.50
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / http://www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 12+