Love's a Beach is a witty, sharp, hilarious and entertaining queer comedy that perfectly captures the energetic, creative and dramatic pulse of the Fringe. Written by Katie Sayer and William Johnston, and directed by Phoebe Gibby, the show is a constant whirlwind of events with two equally incredible performances.
The show follows the relationship of a couple of 23 year olds, Cyrus and Ben, as they desperately cling onto the hope of being famous once again. Previously well-known and slightly famous reality show celebrities, the young couple have now embraced being influencers. Competing with their fellow friends (straight couple Danny and Mia), for more sponsorships, Cyrus and Ben are willing to do nearly anything to stay relevant and loved.
From adult nappies ads, high school parties to dog food ads, the declining opportunities places tension on their relationship. Ben is slowly resolved to a quiet life, endorsing an environmentalism campaign whilst Cyrus is spurred into doing anything to be famous once again. Even compromising his morals to endorse a luxury hotel in Dubai (where homosexuality is considered illegal). Moving in opposite directions, the spotlight that brought Ben and Cyrus together, may be the very reason they fall apart.
The play interestingly becomes both an exposé and a satire on the lives of influencers, with Cyrus adopting the bratty persona stereotype, yet with a charm and fierce determination that has the audience rooting for him regardless. Ben's rapid interest in doing right by endangered animals is thoughtfully played out and it is refreshing to see him find true happiness. The dedication and effort that struggling actors and influencers put in to remain engaging through social media and in person is highlighted with brutal honesty. The play throbs with relevance as it cleverly uses overlapping and overwhelming voiceovers to denote the countless opinions from unseen voices that dictate the lives of the couple. Irony, satire and wit lead this conversation into an important discussion about social media and outward appearances.
The characters are both incredibly fleshed out and spring to life with heart that allows the audience to connect with the characters. The two performers (James Akka and Iain Ferrier) have great chemistry and the sweeter moments of their relationship only emphasis this. The show lines even its most emotionally heartstring-tugging moment with sharp wit and comedy, making it a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
Akka (Cyrus) has perfectly nailed the mannerisms of a larger than life character, always performing and taking everything in his stride. Wonderfully cast, it's impossible to tear your eyes away from Akka, who shines even at the character's worst moments. Ferrier (Ben) has a subtler but equally dazzling performance. Heartwarming and heartbreaking, the slow loss of Ben's spark is evident and grounds the show in a moving manner. Both performers give it their all and it's furthermore impressive to see the distinctive different acting styles that somehow complement each other well, another clever link to the characters relationship.
A bold and brilliant glimpse into the behind the scenes of the flashy front cover stars, Love's a Beach is a strong piece.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Jake Bush
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