Carleen and Crystal are best friends with a lot to say, and they want people to hear it! When their latest online post sees them go too far, a new social media platform called FLIP! offers them a second chance. A battle between stardom, friendship, and super-powered AI technology is at their fingertips, but with fame and fortune all just a click away, is FLIP! really the solution?
It's clear from the incredibly clever mix of tracks that fill the space when you first arrive, that this show is more than a half hearted take on 'cancel culture'. Further contribution from the sound department (Eliyana Evans) only gets better throughout this production, as the sound effects are the absolute comic standout during the piece, never missing a beat and really enhancing the already brilliant direction by Emily Aboud.
Along with movement director Aline David, Aboud had the actors (Leah St Luce and Jadesola Odunjo) using hilarious archetypal characters and recognisable choreography to fully immerse us in their own digital world. These things never crossed the line into being cringey at any point, which is applaudable as it would be so easy to do, given they are often discussing awkward things, or behaving in a way that is typically judged in real life.
Racheal Ofori has written a script that is so fast paced, that we never have to worry about predictable plot lines, as the story is constantly evolving and, on top of their array of multi-rolling, the characters development progresses very smoothly. Although you will be laughing at every moment, there were perhaps two or three moments where the message of the piece seemed to get muddled with the characters' own intentions, and so we lost what we were supposed to take from certain scenes. However it has been so well composed that it subtly nods to real struggles faced by artists in every sector of the industry, which felt very appreciated from the audience.
The performers complement each other beyond description, and the chemistry they share on stage is palpable. They both know exactly what they're doing and exude confidence in a way that is so natural, you can't help but admire them as they work.
Anna Robinson’s designs were vibrant, flattering, and funny in and of themselves (which isn't feedback typically given to clothes or wooden boxes) but they really did work! And what's more, neither the set nor costume required any work from the actors to help it blend into the show. It felt as if they were meant to be there to add value, and not just serve as a logistical solution for prop storage.
You don't have long to catch this masterpiece of social commentary, as it is only playing at the Soho Theatre until 25th of November. For more information and tickets, you can follow the link here.
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AD | gifted tickets in return for an honest review | written by Katie | photography by Tristram Kenton
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