100% My Type on Paper Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2024 (UK)
Written by Lola Annesley. Directed by Olive Bown, Ivo Beatty and Alice Allen.
A refreshingly honest and painfully relateable production about the world of online dating, reality TV and what it means to find love
Reviewed by Mia Mathias
Drop Dead Theatre
Season: Aug 25 at AC ARTS | C venues | C alto
4.5 STARS
Ever want to experience a first date over and over again? Drop Dead Theatre’s 100% My Type On Paper is a clever exploration of online dating, reality TV and the integrity of love. This play is for anyone who is dating or has dated, you will relate instantly and feel seen.
With a thrust stage, audiences are spectators to cringey first dates, and gradually to the reality TV personas. Just when you think you understand the characters repetition, everything changes. Like a merry go round, we watch as Sammy (Evie Meadows) and Clyde (Benjamin Oliveira) repeat their first date over and over again. Gradually we see the first meeting evolve and shape into a game. We can immediately relate to the nerves and awkwardness in their first meeting, and it soon becomes obvious their choices and interactions are influenced by spectators.
The atmospheric change from an intimate first date to Love Island vibes is shocking and exciting. An important question; ‘why are you here’ is repeated, and chips away at the characters integrity. You can’t help but notice as the play continues, the dates becomes less vulnerable and the meaning of love changes. Is this a mirror of online dating?
Meadows and Oliveira are a captivating couple as they banter and become contradictions, creating a truthful and easy-to-follow pair. Even when the setting switches to reality TV, the audience can access the undercurrents and truth. Meadows skillfully plays with the persona of the ideal woman. Her vulnerability allows the audiences to empathise with their struggle and hurt, and relate to the fear of being replaced. Oliveira’s charm and playfulness turns avoidant and showy, and yet the inner conflict is evident. His almost bouncy energy keeps audiences engaged, a bold contrast to Meadows' character.
Joshua Hogan enters the play in the role of Producer. Hogan surprises us, making themselves at one with the audience, but is like the leader of a pack. Disrupting scenes with calculation and boldness, the character confronts and holds audiences accountable to their intentions, and shines a light on the media’s perception of love.
Lola Annesley’s writing paired with the directing of Olive Bown, Ivo Beatty and Alice Allen, creates a thought provoking show that holds audiences accountable for their role in dating in today's society. With a bare stage, all eyes are on the actors and they guide us into their world of searching for love. 100% My Type On Paper is a must-see, clever and engaging production which will have you living vicariously through the character, cringing from relateability and begin to question what is love to you.
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