Writer: Stephanie McNeil
Director: Isabel Steuble-Johnson
Reviewer: Christine Stanton
“Slow, but with Sparks”
2.5 / 5
Flatmates Clarissa and Emily are excited by their prospect of being single in London, teaming up for double dates and ready to conquer the world of dating apps together.
Far from the posh venues and fine dining they were expecting, the pair wind up being more familiar with the local Wetherspoons, much to their dismay! Emily (Stephanie McNeil) comes from money, her spoilt upbringing and princess-like behaviour proving to be difficult for potential love interests. Clarissa (Helin Ekin) is much more laidback; so long as booze is involved, she knows she’ll be able to have a good time. But one fateful night when they get separated in a club changes both their friendship and the course of their lives forever.
McNeil’s script is sadly, extremely relatable – the perils of dating, the pressures of being a female in a patriarchal society and the dangers women face just by being in a bar are all too familiar. Although assault takes a central focus within the show, even smaller micro instances, such as choosing what to wear for a job interview or working in a male dominated industry are touched on also, shining a light on the various struggles presented on a day to day basis.
Billed as a dark comedy, there are some glimmers of genuinely funny moments, but as a whole it’s a lot more subdued than expected, small sparks of intrigue amongst an otherwise very slow show. Moments that should have more uproar or focus are quickly brushed over and moved on from, with such little fanfare it makes you wonder if you heard correctly from the hushed on-stage voices. Although the girls are well-rehearsed, theres a initially a tinge of shyness to their performances, meaning some early moments fall a little flat, when they settle into their roles it’s a lot more engaging.
There is a realm of potential though, the storyline with some sharper editing could really shine, and by shedding some of the copious filler scenes where drink orders are taken or small talk is made, the pacing would flow much better, allowing for the dialogue to deliver in a punchier manner. Seyi Ogunniyi and Harry Jeffs are a brilliant addition to the show, offering natural humour and variety through their multiple roles. When the four cast members interact together, they showcase great chemistry, so it would be great to see everyone utilised more to really bring out the best in the script.
Runs until 11th September 2025
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