Somebody’s Theatre from Sheffield offers us a piquant slice of life with this story of the tangled lives of four twenty somethings who share more than toothpaste - entirely set in one bathroom.Taking place across the span of an evening of pre-drinking, gossiping, and dolling up we see the comings and goings of Julie and Lizzie’s bathroom. The pair is joined by Peter, Julie’s pedantic boyfriend, and Andrew, Julie’s boisterous old friend who throws a spanner in the works. In a series of playful and sometimes risqué scenes romance is questioned, tested, and double-crossed.
The storyline is simple, but there is a wonderfully genuine chemistry between the four actors, and the banter and chatter are delivered with ease and natural charm. Only once did I feel the cringe inducing soppy, self-indulgence that is somehow synonymous with soapy student theatre. Kate Butler and Staurt Gresham are particularly joyous to watch in their frolics; these are set beautifully against their nostalgia and tentative attempt at romance, which is poignant and endearing. The set is a simple sink and toilet; the ‘mirror’, which is fought over and coveted, is cleverly set into the fourth wall, giving the audience prime view of the gurning and pouting.
Quirky, sharp, and honest, the script from new writers Lucy Kempster and Emma Beverley, who are director and producer respectively, demonstrates great potential and a discerning eye. The cliffhanger ending might catch some audience members off guard but is very effective, as it lets us ponder how the chaos of juvenile life might pan out. There is genuine talent and potential in this tight-knit cast that would do well to push themselves to further emotional frontiers with the same candid precision and enthusiasm.
