Mags’s mum has recently died. A onesie is draped on her chair, which nobody sits in, with the urn placed there throughout the show, as if somehow she is still present, an extra character. Mags and Ruby are in their flat. Ruby quickly moves in, with a gesture that might seem supportive, and with a couple of quotes from the film
A dark play, but it draws you in like the sweetest of treats and won’t let you go
One of the interesting things about this show is how surprising it is, even changing genre from beginning to end. Just when you think you know what to expect next, the story moves in a completely unexpected direction. It’s incredibly funny throughout, but even the humour shifts - from out-loud guffaws to very dark comedy towards the end. We quickly realise this is a play about obsessive relationships - but no, it’s a play about toxicity in friendships and becoming so incredibly intimate and intertwined with another person that you almost see them in the mirror instead of yourself. Then comes the coercive control, and you realise the person you’ve felt sympathy for is not only damaged, but so much more.
The acting is exceptional. Rach Mullock plays Mags, grieving and desperate to be loved, living life almost vicariously through the feisty, outgoing and deliciously self-assured Ruby, played with dark intensity by Lexi Pickett. The only other human character is Tony, played by Sam Cartwright, Mags’ wannabe boyfriend and more, who portrays the gawky ex-soldier who is not very good at flirting - or loyalty. Each of them embodies their character from head to toe, with complex, layered and emotional portrayals. Ruby’s multifaceted and surprising nature intrigues and entices - her charm oozes, even as her presence indicates both passion and danger.
Corrina O'Beirne’s writing has a grounded authenticity and goes in completely unconventional directions. Much like Ruby, this piece refuses to be pigeonholed. It is a dark play, but it draws you in like the sweetest of treats and won’t let you go until the end, where you are left still thinking about it. It is quite simply exceptional, and not to be missed.
