Despite this collection of monologues having a lot of interesting things to say, their unfocused nature means it's a slightly unsatisfying play overall.Summary
Rating
Good
Reality TV has come under a lot of scrutiny over recent years, especially when it comes to the aftercare of participants and family members, and how they’re often abandoned by producers once the show is over. Yet despite this being a major theme found in this play – one that could provide a central core – it flits and darts all over the place and seems like it has a lot to suggest about a number of intriguing ideas, without ever coming together to create a cohesive whole.
Clearly based on the Channel 4 series Naked Attraction, with a similar set and programme concept, a few changes have been made to avoid legal issues, including changing the title to Reality Bites. But anyone who has seen even just a couple of minutes of that show would instantly recognise the target. While the subject matter increasingly becomes a larger aspect of this production, it takes a surprisingly long time to really focus upon it.
Featuring four monologues performed by an impressively strong cast, the first, from the slightly arrogant Chris (Luis Donegan-Brown), only makes a very brief reference to Reality Bites, with the rest being a thought provoking take on dating, class, race and the ways we sometimes fail to communicate: it’s a strong start to the play. The only odd thing is that it really seems like it has very little to do with what follows.
At least in the next monologue it’s clearer why we’re hearing from the character, as middle aged toxic white male Max (Simeon Willis) presumes that the temp he has hired a couple of times will sleep with him just because she appeared on that TV show. It’s a little repetitive however, and by the end the only real takeaway is that no one should be judged by the way the media represents them.
Naïve Christian Patti (Laura Shipler Chico) is up next, and as she was the first character to have actually appeared in the show it’s here that the play finds its feet, becoming much more focused on the topics it’s engaged with. And that only continues to be the case with the fourth and final monologue performed by Robert Eades. It’s the best performance in a production full of strong acting, and brings the show to an end in an emotionally powerful manner.
There’s an awful lot to like about Reality Bites: all four cast members make these characters feel real and sympathetic even if their behaviour isn’t always what it should be, and it’s littered with astute lines and funny observations. It’s just a shame that right now the first half seems only tenuously linked to the second, as while never less than interesting, it only manages to be affecting towards the finale.
Written by Jamie Christian
Directed by Andrew Mcleod
Set and costume design by Phil Newman
Lighting design by David Wayman
Produced by Gooper Dust Productions
Reality Bites is at the Arches Lane Theatre until Sunday 20 July.
