Up2D8, Thorablot/PBH’s Free Fringe – Sin Club and Lounge

**** (4 stars)

At every Edinburgh Fringe there will be a man-bashing, raving feminist production. This is not it, but it is close. Playwright Laura Shamas explores the world of internet dating from the sleazy chat rooms to the unsuccessful dates following an online encounter. Three women stand on the stage in turn to give honest monologues about their experiences in online romance. One is a confident lesbian, one is lonely and loveless, one simply wants a baby, and each woman has a different reason for being online and looking for love. Each woman is also convincing and completely genuine in her excitement and deflation in response to her unique circumstances.

Men may roll their eyes and scoff at the women who proclaim the opposite sex to be shallow and single minded but these three women each have something interesting to say about relationships. (Whether they are right is a matter of opinion…) One thinks that dating a younger man is the key to her happiness; of course, it is not and she revels in her plan to have her revenge. One is a sophisticated lesbian who wishes there were more genuinely gay women in clubs rather than ‘curious’ straights. One stumbles into a virtual affair, another just wants some sperm to before her biological clock hits zero. All are amusing and clever with their monologues, mixing vulnerable emotion with the anonymity of the internet and the immediate intimacy it offers.

Though possibly aimed at the middle aged women, there was something for everyone including light satire about whether relationships are aided or hindered by modern day technology and the instant connections we can create with strangers. It is food for thought; even the highly educated lady who was simply looking for a fellow enthusiast on her scientific project about internet relationships stumbled into one without noticing; exceedingly ironic and amusing.

This is not an anti-male performance by any means, the females themselves are far from perfect in their judgments but the stereotypical pitfalls of the male species certainly don’t go ignored. An entertaining production for couples to attend to test their compatibility and tolerance for each other, or go alone and revel in your independence while you hear of lonely souls who need another for completion. Light-hearted and all importantly, free, definitely recommended.

Sin Club and Lounge, running until 26th August, 3.10pm.  Free event.

Laura Jones