Review- The Speed Of Dating
August 21, 2008
Venue: Taurus
Date reviewed: 21st August, 2008
Woody Allen once remarked that if the human race was bisexual, the opportunity to get a date on a Saturday night would be doubled. Alice, played by Sarah Emmott, is a bisexual-singleton whose problem is not getting dates but making them last.
The Speed of Dating is a one-woman play, written by Sarah Evans, and we follow the trials and tribulations of Alice, from the break-up of her relationship through to a series of unsuccessful dates, therapy sessions and a drunken sexual encounter.
When faced with someone she finds attractive, Alice, although intelligent and articulate, becomes socially inept and creates embarrassment and frustration for herself, alienating any possible lovers. These situations are very funny but the play is not limited to in its scope, as it explores much more beyond dating stereotypes.
Alice is a potentially irritating character and her neediness could erode audience sympathy. But Emmott does not shy away from this side of the character, giving an insightful performance, evoking sympathy and laughter, without shying away from her character’s many flaws.
As well as portraying the protagonist, this talented actress also plays her dates and gives a side-splitting interpretation of her American therapist. The performance borders on fearless when Alice embarrassingly weeps in morose gratitude during a graphically- portrayed sexual encounter.
Director Randeep Assi creates our heroine’s home and social life with minimal props. A few chairs and clothes represent her home and a box of donuts is cleverly used to allow her to express loneliness. Assi also makes good use of the features of the venue which allow Alice to down a round of drinks at an actual bar.
One person shows can be static or, when if actor over-compensates, too frenetic. Assi avoids this problem by adding pace, where requried, without tiring the audience, thus the show’s impact remains intact.
The Speed of Dating highlights the ingenuity of fringe theatre when done with such precision and demonstrates that a completely satisfying show can be produced with minimal props as long as the script, actor and director are as capable as they are here.
A real treat!
-Dave Cunningham
Comments
Got something to say?
-
Recent Posts
Advertisement
Other Regional Sites
