Review: Supermarket 86, Edfringe

In the sweltering Stephenson Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, Dove (Megan Higley), June (Ariana Pérez), Summer (Jamilah Rosemond), and Peyton (Caitlin Kresta) stand on a small stage, wearing thick winter coats complete with hats and gloves. Supermarket 86 is set in upstate New York, and Rose (Mia Pelosi), the supermarket’s cashier, grudgingly invites the others to sleep in an aisle overnight, due to a severe blizzard that prevents them from returning home.

The stage is bare except for a kiosk desk in the corner, stocked with random items such as chocolate bars and pregnancy tests (which prove to be useful later). A plain black curtain hangs at the back, behind which the characters occasionally disappear to vomit. Perhaps the set would have been more effective if a picture of an aisle had been projected as a backdrop.

Centred on the human desire to connect, the play has the five women open up about private details of their lives through a boozy game of truth or dare. As the story unfolds, they uncover past connections – which do feel a little far-fetched – alongside addressing long-standing conflicts.

Rose and her ex, Peyton, finally discuss why they broke up, Dove and June realise they have slept together, and Summer confesses she has been accepted into an Ivy League university but worries her mum won’t support her. Despite not being obviously coherent, the conversations flow smoothly and gradually reveal the characters’ vulnerabilities.

Pelosi, who also wrote and co-produced the show, delivers realistic dialogue even if some situations stretch credibility. Her script is warm and engaging; in particular, Rose’s conversations with Dove are raw, exploring the complexities and joys of a queer woman’s experience. The subtleties of Pelosi and Higley’s acting bring depth to the characters and elevate even the quieter moments of the play. 

There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, particularly from June’s ridiculous but endearing ideas, while Summer’s mischievous ways of provoking drama drive the action forward. However, certain subplots, such as the pregnancy scare, feel unnecessary and detract from the otherwise tight structure of the play.

Supermarket 86 covers the nuances of female friendship and self-discovery. It succeeds in entertaining the audience thanks to its talented cast. Pelosi’s writing is fantastic, and one can easily imagine the play thriving even more on a bigger stage.

Written & Co-produced by: Mia Pelosi
Directed & Co-produced by: Ellie Aslanian

Supermarket 86 has concluded its run at the Edinburgh Fringe.