a most pressing issue

Photo: Jimmy Hill Photography

Tim Harris' writing and Jordan Lewis's directing, along with four fabulously entertaining performances make up what I'm not sure they're aware is one of the best executions of absurdism I've seen in modern fringe theatre. An out of the ordinary scenario, ridiculous but recognisable characters and a subtle exploration of social and political issues behind dark comedy make this a definite must-see at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2025.

The visual comedy in this piece is expertly done and expertly timed. Lewis clearly has a great eye for taking advantage of what the audience see but the characters don't, for sight-lines, levels and character dynamics. The timing of certain moments was crucial to land the comedic pay-off, but even when it was missed the actors were clearly primed to save the moment. Audience engagement was employed just the right amount, with excellent improvisation from the actors and always in a way that guided the narrative. The balance of serious and hilarious is perfect in this piece, catching the audience in a moment of reflection before whipping you back into an engaging, entertaining moment, with the juxtaposition somehow making the deeper point stay with you long after the serious moment is over.

Despite the ridiculous nature of Penton and Orly, these characters are watchable to no end. Tim Harris and Matt Williams balance each other perfectly on stage, hold your attention and make you root for them even at their worst or most stupid moments. Each character is very real, despite their absurdity, which is what drives the message of the piece home. Natasha Mula as Celeste offers a reasonable voice to the chaos, and the character's journey from nervous intern to self-assured professional in such contrast to the male characters' descent to Penton's last moments highlights each character's compelling individual journey.

This is a really wonderful hour of theatre to experience. Regardless of your tastes, the storyline is compelling, the characters are recognisable and endearing and the subtlety of the deeper issues that the piece explores means that they stay with you long past leaving the theatre and invites you to think more widely about the world and how we relate to others. Definitely put this on your list for Edinburgh 2025.