Review: Jellyfish, Underbelly George Square

Before the show starts, we’re advised that one of the original actors had to pull out prior to the planned opening, and so a last-minute replacement, Felix Le Freak, was drafted in at short notice. He performs script-in-hand, although had we not been told, it’s debatable if we’d really notice. For one thing the folder he holds with his notes in could easily contain the scientific data that he regularly calls out, and for another, he hardly looks at it until very close to the end! Given he had such little warning, it’s an impressive turn.

When Jellyfish does begin, we meet Nova, played by writer Jess Coppen-Gardner, and T, played by Le Freak, who are twins celebrating their 100th birthday. Reaching 100 might sound like quite the achievement, but for this pair, it’s just another step towards their quest for immortality. As they tell us excitedly, their biological ages are actually 37 and 38, but they have spent most of their lives isolated, working hard to live forever. So here we are, observing the siblings as they are interviewed about their lives and how they have reached this incredible milestone.

The interview is conducted by Brian, voiced by Ronan Quiniou, who is AI generated. This instantly raises the question: which is more human, the twins or Brian? At least Brian seems to understand the real value of life. As the interview progresses, it becomes obvious that the twins have dedicated so much of themselves to staying alive, the one thing they seem not to have done is live it. Nova yearns for a child, but cannot have one. T strives for even more knowledge, but as he is asked by Brian, what is the purpose of this if you are only collecting it for knowledge’s sake? Surely it then becomes an empty vessel?

Coppen-Gardener and Le Freak make an impressive pair, and you wonder what they could become with even more time to bed in these characters. They are both childlike with clipped voices, and Nova especially portrays a real innocence. This is perhaps down to spending decades isolated to avoid any risk of infections, with the lack of real human connection leaving them almost like robots themselves. Their actions are equally unnatural, and they make no contact even with each other. Every little movement seems to be perfectly planned to avoid wasting energy or risking injury. But above all, they are funny, in a rather unlikeable way! Their contempt for everyone is palatable, though they clearly believe that no one who doesn’t share their goal of immortality could ever be worthy of their attention.

Jellyfish is fascinating in how it questions the value of life and the cost of wanting it to go on forever. It is also incredibly funny watching this pair perform the mundane rituals required to make it last indefinitely. However, it’s crystal clear that all is not perfect. These lives are dull, barely worth maintaining, and yet they make great social and environmental sacrifices to maintain them.

Things start to go wrong, for the twins and the show itself, as we near the piece’s conclusion. The final scenes become a struggle as the play tries to wrap up and highlight its central message. It’s an ending that risks ruining all the good that has been set in place before.

Nevertheless, Jellyfish is a wonderfully funny, superbly performed, and well considered piece. It will make you question whether immortality is something that we should ever really aim for. Because, ultimately, what is life without the threat of it all ending by choking on a Ferrero Rocher?

Written by: Jess Coppen-Gardener

Directed by: Lillith Freeman

Technical Manager: Toby Silver

Production Manager: Dan Silver

Produced by Blah Blah Productions

Jellyfish plays at Underbelly George Square until Monday 31 August as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.