In our current day and age with consuming media in whatever shape it may take, it’s not difficult to find an advert, article or commentary about the body and how we should look in society. May it be an advert or article on a diet, health supplement, app, make-up, clothes or really anything, it is usually making a statement on how we should look and how we should feel about ourselves, regardless of the negative results this can have on our mental health or body image. Beach Body Ready, from the Hull-based theatre company The Roaring Girls, takes these ideas and smashes them up in their phenomenal debut Edinburgh Fringe Show.
An upbeat, feel-good show
The show focuses around Rachel Abbey, Josie Marley and Sarah Penney, three of the members of the company who perform as well as being writers and devisers for the performance. Each deals with their own body image issues as well as mental health and overcoming the harshness of others. In a mixture of casual conversations, heartfelt speeches, filmed content and dance routines; they overcome the insecurities and negativity of the world. The trio were absolutely phenomenal throughout, going from causal conversations on body image to moments of deep emotion and passion. It’s clear that they love what they do and it really adds to the show. Moments were so heartfelt and real. At times, it felt more like a chat show a play, adding to how grounded and honesty they were. Body image and mental health are not new topics to theatre, especially at the Edinburgh Fringe, but The Roaring Girls down to earth nature and heart really gives a fresh perspective on these issues especially with each giving their own perspective.
Beach Body Ready is an upbeat, feel-good show that will make you laugh. Full of high energy and powerful statements, it’s an amazing hour of body positivity that couldn’t be more needed in our current society.