Review: Schrödinger’s Lesbians, The Glitch

It’s said that history is written by the victor. What it doesn’t say, but probably should, is that it’s also written by men. Of course, theatre, especially fringe, is having a damn good go at challenging that, giving proper voice to not just women but many other marginalised groups along the way. And Themis Theatre are now doing their small part in trying to further balance the books.

Schrödinger’s Lesbians takes that premise of who writes the history one step further, with Libby Boyd’s story set around Ancient Greek poet and tenth muse, Sappho, whose work has mostly been lost through time. Even so, she still managed to give us the word lesbian, although as she tells us in her opening monologue, the irony is that whilst the Greek Gods were written about as f*cking just about anything with a pulse, there is never any actual mention that a woman may have done the same with another woman! 

Opening monologue over, we are thrown into a wonderfully witty and beautifully charming rom-com love triangle. Sappho is still not quite over her ex, Atthis. When Anactoria arrives on the island, the pair form an instant attraction, but neither seem quite ready to move on from their pasts. The Sappho-Anactoria pairing is rudely disrupted though, when Atthis reappears, and Sappho finds herself drawn back to her former lover. Yet Anactoria remains a constant presence. I think we all know where it’s eventually going to end though!

Whilst set in the time of Sappho (6^th Century BC), it is presented with a very modern vocabulary. This leads to some great juxtaposition between the two, with lots of talk of wine, honey and Greek deities, mixed in with modern day innuendos that could be painful were they not so charmingly handled. “Want to see my bees” shouldn’t sound this smutty, but does when quickly followed with “maybe I will see your hive”! It’s corny, but in many ways, it is meant to be. 

Charlotte Boyle’s Sappho seamlessly binds everything together. Her ease around the stage is wonderful to watch, especially as close up as we find ourselves in the basement of The Glitch. Every minute movement of a brow or flirtatious look feels carefully considered. Her scenes with Ruby Blue Tansey-Thomas’ Anactoria are utterly delightful as the two spar with one another, skirting, or maybe that should be flirting, around what is so obvious. It’s here that the script comes to full life. The third wheel, Atthis (writer Boyd), doesn’t quite have the same chemistry, mainly because we all know she isn’t right for Sappho, but it does mean Boyd struggles to draw out too much in her character, and their scenes slightly suffer as a result. If there’s one minor complaint, it’s that at times the delivery feels rushed, as if they are eager to squeeze everything into the hour. A little pause for breath would not go amiss. 

The tight space also means Bobbie-Jean Henning’s directing needs to find a way to maximise it all, and she does that well. Her cast are made to move around to ensure none of the audience, seated on all four sides, are left watching the same back for too long. 

In her opening monologue Sappho asks if two women kiss but no man is around to record it, did it really happen? I can safely say in the case of Schrödinger’s Lesbians it wasn’t just myself (yes a man) who was around to say it happened and that it did so in the most delightful of plays. 

Written by: Libby Boyd
Directed by: Bobbie-Jean Henning
Lighting Design by: Dmitry Bashtanov
Produced by: Themis Theatre

Schrödinger’s Lesbians plays at The Glitch until Monday 14 April.

The show will also be playing as part of Omnibus Theatre’s 96 Festival on 4 and 5 July. Further information available here.