“Clever Funny and Relevant Theatre that is Serviced by Some Great Performances”
Sharkbait Theatre Company return to the fringe with their newest play Hope This Helps! Based around a wellness retreat, we explore an ensemble casts deepest, darkest issues as tensions rise and relationships are tested.
The piece is written well by Lex Joyce and Jess Ferrier. They are a competent duo who know where their strengths lie. The script interrogates our relationship with technology, as the retreat forces a technical detox, and really showcases how we live in an age where human connection is limited. It serves each character well and provides plenty of laughs. As a storm closes in, the tensions rise, which leads to some explosive moments. The work never feels forced and is written with sizable skill.
This writing is brilliantly backed up by a wonderful ensemble cast, Joyce and Ferrier perform well as the tired retreat manager Dave and the woman who fell in love with her AI chatbot, Willow respectively. Alongside them we have the career driven but luckless Caitlin (Robin Reilly), porn addicted and scorned girlfriend Liv (Minnie Cross), misguided man with repressed emotions and questionable views, Declan (Rory Drinnan-Murray) and the joyous yet lonely and sometimes obnoxious Mabel (Elizabeth Robbins). Each actor provides a memorable performance and serves the piece with skill. Robbins in particular brings a powerful performance, often standing out in her pursuit of connection. They are all directed well by Liam Rees, who utilises the space very well to create the retreat.
The piece crams a lot into its short runtime, and achieves what it sets out to well. However, the ending is rushed, and the conclusion flies past us. We also lose some of the poignancy in the aid of comedy throughout. With a bit of refining to the piece, this play can thrive, becoming even more powerful and poignant.
Sharkbait Theatre is fast becoming a staple at the Fringe. Once again, they bring a fun hour of enjoyable theatre that points to an issue facing our modern society. As they continue to grow, it is exciting to see where they will go next, and if they will move into new and uncharted territories with the talents they possess.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/hope-this-helps
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Venue 45 at theSpace @ Venue 45
Dates: 17th – 29th (Not 23rd)
Time: 12.40
Ticket prices: £13.00/ concessions £10.00
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 14+ (Guideline)