We start with Ollie (Fraser Kelsey, also writer), a bright-faced young lad partying his life away in a London club far from his native Scotland alongside best friend Siobhan (Helena Main); both couldn’t be happier and in higher spirits as the spirits come out and toasts are made, birthdays celebrated. So writes Harry Conway for theQR.co.uk…
Not even a brief argument between the two can spoil the mood as Ollie’s night grows to include hookups with old crushes and a clandestine rendezvous with an older man in a drug-fuelled rollercoaster of a night, until everything comes crashing down and we’re brought down to earth alongside Ollie.
It’s the kind of story you might have seen in a Fringe context before, but rarely is it delivered as effectively as this thanks to the power of Kelsey’s performance.
Always finding the perfect pitch for the moment, Kelsey bounces around the stage with vibrant energy during the party scenes but equally knows when to bring the tempo down and allow moments of solemn self-reflection to creep in. It’s a tale of high highs and low lows and Kelsey rides the waves of his self-penned script masterfully, guided skilfully by director Charlotte Anne Tilley.
Dynamic Performances and a Daring Edinburgh Fringe Twist
The talents of both come into play with an expert twist near the end of the show, the details of which I won’t spoil. What I can say is that the appearance of Laura (Molly Keogh) is entirely unexpected and provides a standout moment unmatched by most of this year’s Fringe offerings. Kelsey and Tilley are to be commended for trying something as daring as this and it’s pulled off beautifully, the bravery on display wonderfully supported by work behind the scenes from producers Iona Bremner and Sláinte! Theatre.
“It’s the kind of story you might have seen in a Fringe context before, but rarely is it delivered as effectively as this thanks to the power of Kelsey’s performance.“
But soon after this peak, things wrap up rather quickly, and it feels that a lot is left on the table in terms of Ollie’s journey as a character and his relationships with those around him. The show really feels like it’s moved into a new gear as we head toward the final act, only for it to be curtains within a few minutes as Ollie is quickly forgiven by Siobhan without really earning it, shrugging his shoulders and putting all the pain of the last while behind him quite suddenly. There’s a final act still to be fully fleshed out here, but once it’s up to the standard set by the rest of the show, it’s set to be a surefire winner.
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