by Zahid Fayyaz

A massive hit at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, this new play by Julia Grogan has now come to London for a three-week engagement. It is a three-hander, following the lives of three school friends, Lucy, Zainab and Keira, over a 10 year period during their adolescence and young adulthood. Beginning from just before their GCSEs, the last scene takes place post-university. The story is staged around a striking pink ladder in the middle of the stage that signifies an ancient tree the characters climb and gather around.

Running at just over an hour, the show is both very funny and, at times, very moving. The actors are excellent, with some real chemistry between the three of them. This communicates how much they all care about each other, whilst also allowing for moments where they can be cruel. The play covers issues as the difficulties related to coming out, the grey areas in sexual encounters, and the boredom that results from living in a small town. There is a truth to the dialogue around these themes, which brings out some compelling poetry on the subject matters. There are also some cracking one-liners, providing some laugh-out-loud moments. The magical realism related to the ancient tree is well done, and is particular moving nearer the end of the show.

The Soho Theatre is on a hot streak of great plays at this point in time. This one is another excellent example of relevant new writing and is well worth watching while it is on in London.

Playfight runs through 26 April.

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