Two young women from different sides of Dublin city attending the same festival meet in the girls' toilets (always the best place to make new friends) and strike up a connection.
Electric is, well, just that - electric.
Scarlett (Ali Hardiman) is prim and posh, glamping it up in a fancy tipi while Joni (Ericka Roe) is more of a wild-child, boozing with her best friends and a load of drugs in a cramped tent. On the surface they seem to have absolutely nothing in common but their chance encounter leads to something magical.
Not only do they find they share lots of similarities, most notably their sneering and judgmental friendship groups, they also click together as if they were destined to meet and they ultimately impact on each other's festival experiences for the better. Uptight Scarlett who really doesn’t want to be there (her mum thinks she needs to get out more) ends up letting her hair down and - after Joni’s encouragement - attempts to steal a Cadbury's Golden Crisp bar which is by far the riskiest thing she’s ever done.
Hardiman and Roe’s performances are outstanding, they perform all supporting characters as well - which they both do seamlessly. Written by Hardiman, the script is funny and engaging; she proves herself as a brilliantly talented writer and is certainly someone to watch.
This production is something of a family affair as Hardiman’s brother Sam, who recently graduated from Trinity College, composed all the music in the play which is all really uplifting, incredibly fitting and very enjoyable.
With bunting draped across the stage, the set design is simple but evokes that laid-back festival feel. Adding to this, as you first enter, there’s a neon yellow wristband placed on every seat. It’s a lovely touch which helps draw you into the production by creating a festival atmosphere, making you truly feel like a part of the event, too. The attention to detail makes this production stand out.
What lets this amazing performance down somewhat is the ending; having built up the chemistry between the two women so exceptionally, to end the way it did felt anti-climatic and flat.
Overall though, this is a show you really must see. Challenging class divides and exploring friendships and same-sex love, Electric is, well, just that - electric.
