Taking an original play to the Edinburgh Fringe is a feat that any ambitious young playwright hopes to achieve. A feat that James Platt, writer of SUTCo’s ‘We are, in fact, the problem’ has accomplished with poise and professionalism. After their run in Edinburgh this August, the company of this intimate new play gathered for one last time to perform at the Raynor Lounge in Bar One.
The minimalist stage was set with a dining table and chairs as we watched old school friends Liz, Lena, Alicia and Sasha embark on an evening of buried secrets, old grudges and disgust for their private school upbringing. The script was fluid and engaging, if a little predictable at times. However, the twist in Liz and Alicia’s relationship was truly unexpected. The dialogue was very naturalistic and clearly rolled off the actors’ tongues as though it were a spontaneous thought.
Abigail Edwards portrayed the snobbish character of Liz very convincingly and Caitlin Wood provided a sensitive contrast of humour and despair. One of my favourite lines was her retort: ‘I’m not a criminal, I’m just posh!’ Abigail Wright’s subtle facial expressions and nervous energy brought a real depth to her character. However, the standout performance for me had to be Kirsty Lucas as Sasha, whose fierce attitude provoked outrage from the audience and characters alike.
Although the venue may well have restricted the technical scope of the piece, certain props such as the prawn cocktail could have afforded a little more attention to detail. And, while I appreciated the themes that the play aimed to touch upon, for me the dialogue at times felt rather repetitive and laboured. Nevertheless, the lack of an interval leant itself well to the naturalistic style of the piece and maintained the tangible connection between audience and cast.
Overall, I would like to congratulate the whole company on this momentous achievement. The play was thought-provoking and well-rehearsed, with a clearly talented cast. For a first script, it was a real testament to James’ efforts and I look forward to seeing him grow as a writer.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
We Are, In Fact, The Problem enjoyed a run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival before playing for a final performance in the Raynor Lounge on September 25th
