one4review | On 08, Aug 2013

***

Domestic angst is the main theme of this enjoyable family comedy. Family relationships come to a head the evening Aaron, the babysitter, is hired to look after Jay and Sara’s two daughters. Nikki is aged 18 and Ri around 10 years younger. Ri is adopted, of Asian origin and epileptic.

Sara and Nikki have a dysfunctional mother/daughter relationship. Sara babbles on at length and criticises her daughter for being immature and self-interested. Nikki is at odds with her mother’s attitudes, in particular to politics and fashion. Jay and Aaron are almost bystanders in this verbal jousting whilst Ri plays away picking up on bits of language she is hearing.

The acting is very realistic as individuals talk over each other and thoughts are expressed in fractured sentences. The timing is impressive. Emotions do run high as laughter and tears are exhibited. After an evening of exits and entrances, there is a resolution of sorts which is the way with family life. There is never usually a final resolution in such complex relationships.

Reviewed by Ben

Pleasance Courtyard; 33

31 July to 25 August 2013 (not 12)

14.00 – 15.00

Fringe Programme Page Number: 257